EASA considers role of AI to improve safety
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has outlined its focus on improving safety including through integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies, following discussions at its recent Annual Safety Conference in Budapest.
Executive Director Florian Guillermet emphasised that the human element will remain central to aviation, with technology, including AI, supporting safer operations.
One major topic was the concept of “extended Minimum Crew Operations” (eMCO), where one pilot handles specific flight phases, supported by a smart cockpit. However, EASA stated that such innovations will only be approved if they clearly improve safety.
“The human will be at the centre of aviation for decades,” Guillermet said in his opening remarks. “It is our responsibility to consider how technological developments, such as artificial intelligence, can support the human to make aviation safer still. We need to constantly ask ourselves: is aviation as safe as it can be?”
Panels at the conference tackled emerging risks, including GNSS interference near conflict zones and the potential for AI to mitigate runway incursions, referencing a fatal accident in Tokyo earlier this year.
Discussions also highlighted societal pressures, particularly environmental concerns, as drivers for technological advancements in emission reduction.
The event underscored the importance of a skilled workforce, urging efforts to attract talent equipped for an evolving industry. Attended by 220 stakeholders, the conference reinforced the need for collaboration between regulators, industry, and experts to address the future of aviation.
