Around 250 aviation professionals from authorities and industry gathered on 28-30 May at the 2024 CAAC-EASA Aviation Safety Conference in Xiamen to address global challenges in aviation safety and sustainability and seek opportunities for cooperation. The flagship event underscored the prioritisation of safety by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), as well as the importance attached to knowledge sharing and collaboration to enhance safety standards, facilitate innovation, and foster sustainable aviation cooperation between China and Europe. The organisation of the Conference was supported by the EU-China Aviation Partnership Project (APP) and Xiamen Airlines.
On the main Conference Day of May 29, keynote speeches were held by EASA and CAAC senior management, as well as by senior industry representatives from Xiamen Airlines, Airbus, Comac Intelligent Technology Co., Safran Helicopter Engines, and the AVIC China Helicopter Research and Development Institute. In the afternoon, panel discussions took place, further deepening the exchanges between Chinese and European experts. The main topics discussed included the mitigation of risks and addressing of operational challenges to ensure safety in aircraft operations, the landscape of General Aviation (GA) and Urban Air Mobility (UAM), drone integration, and standards to ensure safety, efficiency, and interoperability in the industry.
In addition, the Conference included networking events and many side meetings facilitating high-level dialogue between Chinese and European authorities and industry stakeholders. The event concluded on May 30 with site visits to Xiamen Airlines, Xiamen University, and HAECO Xiamen.
