EU Adopts New Regulation to Modernise Air Traffic Controller Training with Competency-Based and Virtual Methods
On 23 October 2025, Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2025/2143 introducing competency-based training and assessment and virtual training of air traffic controllers was adopted by the European Commission. This Regulation completes the package stemming from the regulatory proposal in the EASA Opinion 06-2024 developed under Subtasks 3 and 4 of RMT.0668
This amendment to Regulation (EU) 2015/340, sets out the technical requirements and administrative procedures relating to air traffic controllers’ licences and certificates. It introduces the following:
- further harmonisation of the initial training output for ATCOs to handle complex and dense traffic situations, using the principles of competency-based training and assessment (CBTA);
- an enhancement of the regulatory framework for instructors and assessors by setting the required performance standards equally on CBTA basis; and
- enablers for the utilisation of virtual training, harmonising the use of distance learning and of new digital instruction means.
Besides, Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 2025/1044 introducing detailed rules and procedures on the acceptance of air traffic controller licences and certificates issued by third countries, developed under the same EASA regulatory process, was already published in May.
Overall, this regulatory initiative provides for a more flexible use of the available ATCO resources and thus to a better management of the air traffic capacity across Europe, while maintaining high level safety standards.
Member States have until 1 January 2029 to update their training methodology accordingly. To facilitate this transition, EASA continues to complete this regulatory package by the publication of the associated AMC/GM scheduled for Q1/2026 and will also undertake the update the Easy Access Publications as soon as feasible.
