The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has published a proposal to revise regulatory frameworks governing Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations across Europe. The initiative is intended to support the routine deployment of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and other novel air vehicle types within urban and regional environments.
The proposed regulatory package was released this week and is now open for public consultation, with adoption timelines anticipated in late 2026.
HARMONISED SAFETY AND AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS
Common framework across member states
A central element of the proposal is the establishment of harmonised safety standards for AAM airworthiness across European Union member states. The objective is to ensure consistent certification and operational oversight as new categories of aircraft enter service.
EASA’s approach reflects the need to integrate emerging vehicle designs into existing regulatory structures while maintaining established safety principles.
LOW-ALTITUDE AIRSPACE AND VERTIPORT CERTIFICATION
Operational integration measures
The proposal also addresses updated operational requirements for low-altitude airspace integration. As AAM concepts envisage higher-frequency operations in urban areas, regulatory clarity is required to manage traffic safely within controlled and semi-controlled environments.
Standardised procedures for vertiport infrastructure certification form part of the package. These provisions are intended to support the safe development and approval of dedicated take-off and landing sites for eVTOL and related aircraft.
DATA-DRIVEN OVERSIGHT
Monitoring high-frequency operations
EASA has included data-driven oversight mechanisms tailored to high-frequency and increasingly automated traffic environments. The framework acknowledges that AAM operations may involve advanced automation and digital monitoring systems, requiring corresponding supervisory tools.
The agency notes the rapid emergence of new air vehicles and the necessity of adapting rule sets to accommodate technological development while preserving safety standards.
PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND NEXT STEPS
Industry stakeholders have been invited to provide feedback on performance criteria, operational limitations and certification pathways during the consultation phase. The aim is to ensure that the regulatory framework aligns with evolving technology capabilities and operational realities.
The proposal represents a continued shift in European regulatory oversight
SOURCE: EASA IMAGE: VERTICAL AEROSPACE
