Patrick Goudou • Executive Director

Cologne, 28 February 2007

Subject: 2007 EU / US International Aviation Safety Conference

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my pleasure to invite you to participate in the 2007 EU / US International Aviation Safety Conference. This year’s host country is the Czech Republic and the Conference will be held in Prague from 5 to 7 June 2007. It will be co-chaired by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and it is our goal to ensure that this forum will continue to be the primary aviation safety event of the year.

This year’s conference theme

As reflected in the 2007 Conference theme, “How can open data sharing contribute to global aviation safety?” this year’s event will have a closer look at the exchange of data and the use that can be made of such data to better address the challenges imposed by the globalization of the world economy, but also the ever increasing expectations of the travelling public for absolute safety. Global collaboration among all players and the availability of new technologies can give a new impulse to reach the zero accident goal that we all want to achieve. Open exchange of data, knowledge and experience should also involve more actively aviation growth regions, like South-East and South Asia as well as Africa to really be efficient. This year’s Conference agenda has been drafted with these ideas in mind.

The opening plenary sessions will debate the relationship between open data sharing and increased aviation safety. Afterwards there will be a repeat of last year’s successful “Hot topics” round table. On the second day thematic workshops will cover three main aspects impacting aviation safety:

Each of the thematic workshops will address specific topics that merit discussion and reflection on the future of international cooperation. On the third day the essential information sessions regarding certification, maintenance, operations, flight crew lisencing and certification / maintenance will take place. This year we have added a session on quality management systems of regulators. A preliminary draft agenda of the Conference is available on this website.

The gathering of recognised international safety expertise at this occasion is a unique opportunity to share ideas and best practices, stimulate constructive debate and identify common visions for the future. I believe the Conference has a very important role to play, by engaging all parties concerned in a dialogue to determine the specific efforts needed in order to ensure that the impressive aviation safety records are maintained, and where possible improved.

This year’s venue will be the Corinthia Towers Hotel in Prague. The Conference attendance fee has been set at €350, which covers the cost of lunch, drinks and conference papers. Registration details and all relative information will be available on this website. In view of limited space availability, you are encouraged to register early. Conference attendees should also verify whether there are any visa requirements applicable to them for entry to the Czech Republic, in order to ensure timely participation to the Conference.

The challenges for our industry are numerous and they are set against a global environment in constant motion. The aviation industry as a whole, authorities and stakeholders alike, have a responsibility to ensure that air travel remains the safest mode of transport in the world.  It is with this in mind that I shall look forward to seeing you in Prague.

If you have any questions regarding the conference please write to the dedicated email account: EU_US_Conf2007@easa.europa.eu. Much information can be found under this website. You are invited to visit it regularly for updates.

Yours sincerely,

Patrick Goudou
Executive Director