EASA accelerates AI regulation for commercial aviation

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is accelerating regulatory work regarding the integration of artificial intelligence into commercial aviation. During its recent AI Days in Cologne, the agency highlighted ongoing normative activities and updates to its Concept Paper on AI applications.

While EASA has not announced authorization for single-pilot commercial flights, it is working to define the conditions under which AI systems can be progressively integrated into various aviation sectors. A primary focus is “AI assurance,” which involves establishing mechanisms to guarantee the reliability and behavior of AI-based applications to ensure they do not compromise flight safety.

The agency is also addressing human factors and ethical principles to determine how responsibility will be shared between human professionals and automated systems. In this framework, AI is envisioned to function as a co-pilot, assisting pilots during commercial flights.