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Annual Safety Review 2014
Safety Analysis and the European Aviation Safety Plan
PAGE
20
Background
In previous editions of the Annual Safety Review, the safety data and analysis has been presented and discussed on
its own to highlight safety trends and potential safety issues without providing a clear link to the European Aviation
Safety Plan (EASp). In contrast, throughout the 2014 review, the analysis seeks to identify the key strategic safety is‑
sues in each of the aviation domains. In addition, the recent introduction of a new Safety Risk Management process
at the European level enables us to provide the results of more detailed analyses in the form of Safety Risk Portfo‑
lios for the domains of Commercial Air Transport, Offshore Helicopters and Balloons. The purpose of this chapter
is to provide some initial background to the EASp, the new Safety Risk Management process and the role of safety
analysis as an enabler in the identification and assessment of safety issues. Moreover, this chapter will also provide
information on the various groups and activities that support the analysis process as well as outlining some of the
new ways safety analysis information will be provided to the European Aviation Community.
What is the European
Aviation Safety Plan?
The EASp describes the risks and establishes the priorities for aviation in the European region. The EASp is the docu‑
mented output of an evidence‑based, data‑driven approach to safety risks. It provides the reader with a risk picture
of the European aviation safety system, whilst also supporting the management of safety priorities at the European
level by complementing existing safety regulations and investigations. Despite the long term reduction in world‑
wide fatal accidents, the increase in fatalities in 2014 highlights that there is no room for complacency. Air Traffic is
expected to almost double by 2030. Although the average annual rate of fatal accidents in scheduled passenger op‑
erations in the European Union has remained relatively stable for the past few years, this anticipated traffic increase
makes it necessary to complement existing and successful safety measures in order to produce further safety im‑
provements in aviation. This commitment to improving safety in a systematic manner is the driver behind the EASp.
A Safety Management System
at a European Level
Europe continues to implement a Safety Management System (SMS) to improve the ability of the system to
proactively identify hazards. This system complements the existing activities of developing safety regulations,
monitoring compliance, and investigating accidents and serious incidents when they occur. One of the key ele‑
ments of an SMS is managing safety risk. That means identifying safety issues, assessing risk, and deciding upon
the best course of action to mitigate identified risk. Industry organisations and States are also required to do this.
This risk management process is fundamental to the EASp.