On Tuesday, the FAA and its European counterpart EASA announced that they have re-committed to working closely together to support safe and secure civil aviation. FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker and EASA executive director Florian Guillermet signed a new Declaration of Intent agreement in Chicago during an event last week to mark the 80th anniversary of ICAO’s Chicago Convention on air transport.

Under the terms of the Declaration, FAA and EASA have agreed to continue sharing knowledge and best practices on safety data and risk management, cybersecurity and emerging technologies, innovation, research, and sustainability. The agencies also reinforced their commitment to seeking regulatory alignments as far as possible and to provide technical support in other regions of the world.

“Aviation safety and modernization is a joint effort that requires collaboration with our international partners,” Whitaker said. “Emerging technologies are transforming the global aviation system and require constant collaboration to reevaluate and adapt our strategic direction as new challenges and opportunities present themselves.”

The latest discussions between FAA and Cologne, Germany-based EASA were held around five weeks ahead of the new Trump Administration taking office on January 20. Executives from two European OEMs, speaking with AIN on condition of anonymity, have expressed concern that President-elect Trump’s declared “America First” doctrine could result in a dilution of cooperation with foreign regulators, and so slow efforts to certify European aircraft and systems in the U.S.

“Building on the European Union-U.S. agreement on cooperation in the regulation of civil aviation safety, the Declaration of Intent will generate a new momentum in our EASA-FAA relationship, and allow for better alignment on priorities voiced by the global aeronautical industry,” Guillermet commented.

The December 5 event held at the Chicago Hilton hotel included an extraordinary session of the ICAO Council as well as three high-level roundtable meetings on sustainability, investment, and innovation. Speakers included senior executives from Airbus, Boeing, United Airlines, and the World Wildlife Fund.