A complete interactive reference to the EASA regulatory framework — from the Basic Regulation down to individual IRs, AMC, GM and your national authority. Click any rule ID to open it directly in the Easy Access Rules. Focus: CAT commercial air transport.
The Basic Regulation is the legal constitution of EU aviation. It does not contain operational rules itself — instead it defines the scope of EASA authority and empowers the Commission to adopt implementing regulations (IR) for each domain. The regulation is directly applicable in all member states; no national transposition is needed.
Create a high, uniform level of safety throughout EU civil aviation while enabling a level playing field and protecting the environment.
EASA drafts opinions for the Commission, issues AMC & GM, conducts standardisation inspections of national authorities and certifies certain products directly.
Amateur-built aircraft, microlights, vintage aircraft, and operations by military, police, customs or similar state services fall outside EASA scope.
In urgent, unforeseeable circumstances, operators may apply to their competent authority (e.g. ILT) for a temporary exemption from EU rules.
The Basic Regulation mandates a separate implementing regulation for each aviation domain. This site covers Air Operations with a focus on CAT commercial air transport — click any row below to see what's inside it.
Air OPS is the primary regulation for anyone operating aircraft commercially in the EU. It is structured into 7 Parts. Part-ORO and Part-CAT are the backbone for CAT operators holding an AOC. Each Part contains Implementing Rules (binding), with associated AMC and GM published in the Easy Access Rules.
| ARO.GEN.105 | Scope Defines the scope of Part-ARO — applicable to competent authorities of member states overseeing organisations and persons subject to Reg. 965/2012. Each member state designates a competent authority for this purpose. | IRGM |
| ARO.GEN.200 | Management system The authority must have its own SMS and quality system for oversight activities. | IRAMCGM |
| ARO.GEN.300 | Oversight The authority must verify continuous compliance of certificate holders through audits and inspections. | IRAMC |
| ARO.GEN.350 | Findings and corrective actions Level 1 (immediate safety) and Level 2 (significant non-compliance) findings — timelines for closure. | IRGM |
| ARO.OPS.100 | Procedure for issuance of AOC How the authority processes an AOC application, what documentation it reviews, and what it must assess before granting the certificate. | IRAMC |
| ARO.OPS.110 | Lease agreements — aeroplane and helicopter operators Defines the authority's role in approving lease arrangements involving operators under its oversight, including wet lease-in from third-country operators and dry lease-in of third-country registered aircraft. | IRAMC |
| ARO.RAMP.100–145 | Ramp inspection programme Procedure for unannounced ramp inspections of aircraft, including items inspected (documents, equipment, crew, aircraft condition) and follow-up for findings. Basis for SAFA inspections. | IRAMCGM |
| ORO.GEN.005 | Scope Establishes which organisations are subject to Part-ORO requirements. | IR |
| ORO.GEN.110 | Operator responsibilities The operator is responsible for the safe operation of aircraft and for complying with applicable law. Must ensure crew and other personnel are trained and competent — the basis for FOO/dispatcher training requirements. | IRAMCGMOM-A |
| ORO.GEN.115 | Competent authority Identifies which authority (e.g. ILT) supervises the operator — normally the authority of the state where the operator is established. | IR |
| ORO.GEN.120 | Means of compliance Operators may use published AMC or propose an alternative means of compliance (Alt-AMC). The authority must be notified before implementation of an Alt-AMC. | IRGM |
| ORO.GEN.130 | Changes to the organisation Certain changes (e.g. accountable manager, fleet changes, new routes) require prior approval or notification to the competent authority. | IRAMCGM |
| ORO.GEN.135 | Continued validity An AOC remains valid as long as the operator continues to comply with applicable requirements. Non-compliance triggers suspension or revocation. | IR |
| ORO.GEN.140 | Access The operator must grant the competent authority access to all facilities, aircraft, records and personnel at any time for oversight purposes. | IR |
| ORO.GEN.155 | Immediate reaction to a safety problem If the authority identifies an immediate safety risk, it may require the operator to take immediate corrective action. The operator must comply without delay, before the formal findings process concludes. | IRAMCGMOM-A / SMS |
| ORO.GEN.160 | Record-keeping Minimum retention periods for operational records: crew records (3 yrs after last entry), journey logs (3 yrs), occurrence reports, training records. | IRAMC |
| ORO.GEN.200 | Management system (SMS) CAT operators must establish and maintain an SMS including: safety policy, hazard identification, risk assessment, safety promotion, emergency response plan and compliance monitoring (Quality Assurance). | IRAMCGMOM-A / SMS |
| ORO.GEN.205 | Contracted activities When operational tasks are outsourced (e.g. ground handling, fuelling, maintenance), the operator remains responsible. Contracts must ensure contracted parties comply with applicable rules. | IRAMCGM |
| ORO.GEN.210 | Personnel requirements Sufficient qualified personnel must be available. Key positions include Accountable Manager, Nominated Person Operations (NP OPS / HOO), Nominated Person Airworthiness, NP Ground Operations, NP Safety. | IRAMCGMOM-A |
| ORO.GEN.215 | Facility requirements Operator must maintain adequate facilities — offices, briefing rooms, OCC — appropriate to the scale and nature of the operation. | IRAMC |
| ORO.AOC.100 | Application for an AOC Documents required for initial AOC application: OM, MEL, SMS documentation, evidence of financial fitness, key personnel qualifications, operations specifications. | IRAMC |
| ORO.AOC.110 | Leasing agreement Covers all lease types: wet lease-in and dry lease-in from third-country operators require prior authority approval; the operator must demonstrate equivalent safety standards, valid CofA and airworthiness compliance. Dry lease-out requires prior approval; wet lease-out requires notification to the authority. | IR |
| ORO.AOC.115 | Code-share agreements An operator entering into a code-share agreement must verify that the other operator holds a valid AOC and complies with applicable safety requirements. The operator remains responsible for the safety of operations conducted under its own flight numbers. | IRAMCGM |
| ORO.AOC.135 | Wet lease-in of third-country operator aircraft Special requirements for wet leasing from non-EASA operators — additional authority approval required, must demonstrate equivalent safety. | IRAMC |
| ORO.MLR.100 | Operations Manual (OM) Every CAT operator must maintain an OM in 4 parts: A (General), B (Aircraft-specific), C (Routes & aerodromes), D (Training). Must be accepted/approved by competent authority (ILT). | IRAMCGMOM-A/B/C/D |
| ORO.MLR.105 | Minimum Equipment List (MEL) Operator must establish a MEL derived from the MMEL. MEL must be accepted by the authority. The MEL defines what equipment may be inoperative and under what conditions flight may still proceed. | IRAMCGM |
| ORO.MLR.110 | Journey log (Technical log) Content requirements for the journey log — defect recording, fuel uplift, flight times and tech log entries. Must be kept for ≥3 months. | IRAMC |
| ORO.MLR.115 | Operational flight plan (OFP) Required content of the OFP. The OFP is the dispatcher's/FOO's primary output — it must contain fuel calculation, alternate selection, weather summary and route information. | IRAMC |
| ORO.FC.100 | Composition of flight crew Minimum crew required — determined by aircraft type certificate and OFP. Commander must hold appropriate type rating and current recency. | IRAMC |
| ORO.FC.115 | CRM training All flight crew must receive initial CRM training before operating as crew and recurrent CRM at specified intervals. Must cover threat and error management, decision-making, communication and incapacitation. Operator-specific CRM elements required for CAT are in ORO.FC.215. | IRAMCOM-D |
| ORO.FC.120 | Conversion training and checking Requirements when a crew member converts to a new aircraft type — includes simulator training requirements and proficiency check (OPC). | IRAMCOM-D |
| ORO.FC.135 | Pilot qualification to operate in either seat A co-pilot may only act as PIC if qualified in command on type and currently holding left-seat currency. The operator must define the specific currency requirements and the process for regaining currency in the OM-D. Recurrent training requirements are in ORO.FC.130. | IRAMCGMOM-D |
| ORO.FC.200 | Composition of flight crew — CAT CAT-specific crew composition requirements supplementing ORO.FC.100. CAT operations require at least two pilots unless a specific single-pilot approval is held. Also sets conditions for minimum crew when operating below standard complement in exceptional circumstances. | IRAMCGMOM-D |
| ORO.FC.220 | Operator conversion training and checking — CAT Full conversion programme required when a pilot joins a CAT operator or changes aircraft type. Includes ground school, simulator training, base training and a line check. The full syllabus must be defined in the OM-D. | IRAMC |
| ORO.CC.100 | Number and composition of cabin crew Minimum cabin crew numbers based on aircraft configuration (1 per 50 pax seats, at least 1 per floor-level exit). Operator may require more. | IRAMC |
| ORO.CC.115 | Cabin Crew Attestation (CCA) Every cabin crew member must hold an attestation issued by the operator confirming completion of initial safety training. The attestation must be carried during duty and presented to the authority on request. | IRAMCOM-D |
| ORO.CC.125 | Initial and operator conversion training Structured training programme before a new cabin crew member may operate unsupervised. Content includes safety equipment, evacuation, first aid, CRM and security. | IRAMCOM-D |
| ORO.CC.140 | Recurrent training Annual recurrent including practical drills, safety equipment checks, CRM and SEP. Must be documented and records maintained. | IRAMCOM-D |
| ORO.FTL.100 | Applicability and definitions Defines FDP (Flight Duty Period), flight time, rest period, acclimatised state, night hours and other core concepts used throughout the FTL scheme. | IRGM |
| ORO.FTL.105 | Fatigue management responsibilities Both operator and crew share responsibility for fatigue management. Operator must publish rosters in advance; crew must declare fit for duty. | IRAMCOM-A |
| ORO.FTL.110 | Flight crew responsibilities — FTL Each crew member must not accept an assignment if they know they are too fatigued to perform safely. Crew must be able to report fatigue without fear of reprisal. This responsibility is personal and cannot be overridden by commercial pressure. | IRAMC |
| ORO.FTL.115 | Fatigue management training Operators must provide fatigue management training to all flight crew and to all rostering and OCC staff who assign duties. Training must cover the science of fatigue, how to identify and report it, and the operator's FTL scheme. | IRAMC |
| ORO.FTL.120 | Fatigue risk management (FRM) Operators may apply to use a Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) as an alternative to the prescriptive FTL limits. Requires NAA approval, a validated fatigue model, data collection and continuous monitoring. FRMS does not exempt operators from the absolute maximum limits. | IRAMC |
| ORO.FTL.210 | Unforeseen circumstances — commander's discretion In genuinely unforeseen operational circumstances, the commander may extend the FDP by up to 2 hours. The extension must be recorded, reported to the operator, and an occurrence report filed if safety was affected. This discretion cannot be used for planning purposes. | IRAMCGM |
| ORO.SEC.100 ↗ | Flight crew compartment security — aeroplanes The flight deck door must be locked from pushback until after landing. OM must define the controlled access procedure, include a monitoring protocol for the door area and a two-person rule whenever either pilot leaves the flight deck. Applies to all CAT aeroplanes with a lockable flight crew compartment door. | IRAMCGMOM-A |
| ORO.SEC.105 ↗ | Security training programme Operators must establish a security training programme for all crew members covering threat recognition, hijack procedures and unruly passenger management. Training records must be retained. Note: the main aviation security framework is EC Reg. 300/2008, enforced nationally (NCTV in the Netherlands). | IRAMCOM-A |
| CAT.GEN.MPA.100 | Means of compliance — general Sets out how CAT operators may comply with Part-CAT requirements, including through the Operations Manual. The general framework that underpins all subsequent CAT rules. | IR |
| CAT.GEN.MPA.105 | Common requirements for CAT aeroplanes General airworthiness and operational requirements applying to all CAT flights with aeroplanes. Establishes baseline obligations for commercial air transport before the more specific requirements in CAT.OP, CAT.POL and CAT.IDE apply. | IRAMC |
| CAT.GEN.MPA.135 | Dangerous goods Acceptance, carriage and notification of dangerous goods following ICAO Technical Instructions. Operator must establish DG acceptance procedures. | IRAMCOM-A |
| CAT.OP.MPA.100 | Aerodrome operating minima Operators must establish aerodrome operating minima for take-off and landing. Factors: aircraft category, navaid type, RVR, cloud, obstacle clearance. Cannot be lower than state minima. | IRAMCGMOM-A / OM-C |
| CAT.OP.MPA.105 | Aerodrome operating minima — instrument approaches Defines how approach minima are established for precision (PA), approach with vertical guidance (APV) and non-precision (NPA) procedures. Covers DH/MDH, RVR requirements and required visual references for each approach category. | IR |
| CAT.OP.MPA.150 | Meteorological conditions Flights may not be commenced or continued if weather is below applicable minima. OCC and the commander must monitor forecast and actual conditions before departure and throughout the flight. Fuel planning requirements are in CAT.OP.MPA.130 and CAT.OP.MPA.131. | IRAMCGMOM-A / OM-B |
| CAT.OP.MPA.155 | Ice and other contaminants — ground procedures No take-off is permitted if the aircraft is contaminated with ice, snow, slush or frost. The operator must establish a contamination check procedure and a de-icing/anti-icing programme in the OM, including approved holdover times and the pre-take-off contamination check. Aerodrome selection for alternates is CAT.OP.MPA.185. | IRAMCGMOM-A / OM-C |
| CAT.OP.MPA.175 | Approach and landing conditions Before commencing descent, the commander must verify that destination weather at ETA meets or exceeds applicable minima. If conditions deteriorate, a diversion or hold must be initiated before fuel falls below required reserves. OCC provides updated weather before and during descent. | IRAMC |
| CAT.OP.MPA.180 | Commencement and continuation of approach An approach may be commenced even if weather is reported below minima. Continuation below DA/MDA requires the required visual references to be positively identified. Defines the decision point and the go-around trigger. The OFP content requirements are in ORO.MLR.115. | IRAMCOM-A |
| CAT.OP.MPA.190 | Fuel / energy policy Operator must establish a fuel policy in the OM defining how flight fuel is calculated, how captains may request extra fuel and how OCC responds to such requests. Ground de-icing procedures are in CAT.OP.MPA.210. | IRAMCOM-A |
| CAT.OP.MPA.205 | Refuelling / defuelling with passengers on board Specific safety conditions required during fuelling with passengers on board: cabin doors armed, ground power preferred over APU, no smoking enforced, crew at exits. Operator must define the procedure in the OM. | IR |
| CAT.POL.MAB.100 | Applicability — Performance A Multi-engine turbine aeroplanes must comply with Performance Class A. One-engine-out performance must be demonstrated at all phases. | IRAMC |
| CAT.POL.MAB.105 | Take-off Field length requirements (TORA, TODA, ASDA), climb gradient requirements per segment, and obstacle clearance. Performance class A aeroplanes must meet net flight path requirements. Performance calculations are embedded in the OFP. | IRAMCOM-B |
| CAT.POL.MAB.120 | En-route — one engine inoperative Engine-out drift-down requirements. Aircraft must be able to clear terrain with ≥1000 ft margin. Determines usable route segments and diversion options. | IRAMC |
| CAT.POL.MAB.130 | Landing Landing distance must not exceed 60% of LDA on a dry runway. On wet runways a higher factored distance applies. Separate requirements for contaminated runways and for alternate aerodrome landing performance. | IRAMCOM-B |
| CAT.IDE.A.100 | Instruments & equipment — general All equipment must be approved, installed and maintained per applicable airworthiness standards. Inoperative equipment governed by MEL. | IRAMC |
| CAT.IDE.A.125 | GPWS / TAWS Ground Proximity Warning System mandatory. Forward-looking capability (TAWS class A) required for turbine aircraft above 5700 kg or >9 pax seats. | IR |
| CAT.IDE.A.130 | Airborne collision avoidance (TCAS II) TCAS II mandatory for turbine aircraft with >19 pax seats or MTOM >5700 kg. Crew must follow RA instructions. | IR |
| CAT.IDE.A.190 | Flight data recorder (FDR) FDR required — parameters, recording duration (25 hrs) and performance standards defined. Must be crash- and fire-protected. Basis for safety investigations. | IRAMC |
| CAT.IDE.A.195 | Cockpit voice recorder (CVR) CVR required — minimum 2-hour recording duration. Linked to FDR for accident investigation. Must not be erased within 60 days following an occurrence. | IR |
| CAT.IDE.A.285 | Oxygen supply Supplemental oxygen requirements for crew and passengers at cabin altitude above 10,000 ft / 13,000 ft depending on duration. Emergency descent procedures linked. | IRAMC |
Each subpart defines the conditions under which an operator may conduct a specific type of operation. The approval is issued by the NAA and listed on the AOC. Fixed-wing CAT operators will typically hold several of these; helicopter-specific subparts are marked.
| SPA.GEN ↗ | General requirements Sets out the conditions that apply to all SPA approvals: how to apply, what the operator must demonstrate, and how the NAA grants, varies or revokes an SPA. | IR |
| SPA.PBN ↗ | Performance-based navigation (PBN) RNP AR APCH allows curved approaches to minima below standard ILS. Requires specific aircraft avionics, crew training and operator approval. Significant fuel and noise benefits at some airports. | IRAMC |
| SPA.MNPS ↗ | Minimum navigation performance specifications (MNPS) Required for operations in MNPS airspace, primarily the North Atlantic (NAT HLA). Aircraft must be equipped with approved long-range navigation systems and crews must hold a NAT endorsement. | IRAMC |
| SPA.RVSM ↗ | Reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) Operations between FL290–FL410 at 1,000 ft separation instead of 2,000 ft. Requires aircraft height-keeping approval, altimetry system performance monitoring and crew training. | IRAMC |
| SPA.LVO ↗ | Low-visibility operations (CAT II / III) Take-off below 400m RVR and/or landing below DH 200 ft / RVR 550m. Requires aircraft certification, ground navaid infrastructure, aerodrome LVP procedures, crew training and operator approval. | IRAMC |
| SPA.ETOPS ↗ | Extended range operations with two-engined aeroplanes (ETOPS) Routes where the diversion time to an adequate aerodrome exceeds 60 min at single-engine speed. Requires aircraft approval, dedicated maintenance programme extensions and OCC monitoring. Being replaced by EDTO under Opinion 01/2026. | IRAMC |
| SPA.DG ↗ | Transport of dangerous goods Operators must hold a DG approval to carry goods classified under ICAO TIs / IATA DGR. Requires trained acceptance staff, OCC awareness training and an approved DG programme in the OM. | IRAMC |
| SPA.SET-IMC ↗ | Single-engined turbine aeroplane operations at night or in IMC (SET-IMC) Authorises commercial operations of single-engine turbine aeroplanes in instrument meteorological conditions or at night. Relevant for operators of light turboprop aircraft on CAT routes. | IRAMC |
| SPA.EFB ↗ | Electronic flight bags (EFB) Use of EFBs as a replacement for paper charts and documents requires an approved EFB programme. Covers hardware qualification, software change management, data integrity and crew training. | IRAMC |
| SPA.NVIS | Night vision imaging systems — helicopter only Use of NVGs for helicopter operations at night. Requires specific aircraft modification, crew training and operator procedures. | IR |
| SPA.HHO | Helicopter hoist operations — helicopter only Winch/hoist operations for search and rescue, offshore and utility missions. Strict requirements on crew training, hoist equipment and operating procedures. | IR |
| SPA.HEMS | Helicopter emergency medical service operations — helicopter only Approvals for HEMS operations including reduced minima, single-pilot IFR and NVG use in emergency medical contexts. | IR |
| SPA.HHO/K | Helicopter offshore & PINS-VFR — helicopter only Offshore platform approaches and point-in-space VFR approaches. Specific approvals for helicopter operations in the offshore oil and gas sector. | IR |
| SPA.VEMS | Emergency medical service — VTOL aircraft — new New subpart (added in recent revisions) for EMS operations using manned VTOL-capable aircraft — relevant to the emerging eVTOL/air taxi sector. | IR |
Covers the full lifecycle of a pilot licence — from student to ATPL. Includes medical standards (Part-MED), authority requirements (Part-ARA) and training organisation requirements (Part-ORA). Operator training requirements in ORO.FC are separate but closely linked.
LAPL, PPL, CPL, MPL, ATPL. Type ratings (TR), class ratings, instrument ratings (IR). Revalidation and renewal requirements.
Class 1 (commercial), Class 2 (private), LAPL medical. AeMC and AME examination requirements. Colour vision, hearing, mental health.
Approved Training Organisations (ATO) and Declared Training Organisations (DTO) — management, approval, oversight and syllabi requirements.
This regulation defines how aircraft remain airworthy throughout their life. The operator (via CAMO) manages the airworthiness programme; Part-145 organisations perform the physical maintenance; Part-66 licenses the technicians.
Planning maintenance, controlling ADs and SBs, managing the MEL, issuing Airworthiness Review Certificates and overseeing the maintenance programme.
Organisations approved to perform line and base maintenance on commercial aircraft. Required for CAT operators — either in-house or contracted.
Categories A, B1, B2, B3, C. Defines knowledge, experience and examination requirements for certifying maintenance staff.
AMC and GM are published by EASA and are integrated into the Easy Access Rules alongside each IR. They are technically voluntary — but in practice essential. If an operator follows an AMC, compliance with the associated IR is automatically presumed. An alternative approach (Alt-AMC) requires prior agreement with the competent authority (ILT).
Legally binding. Published in the Official Journal of the EU. Non-compliance can result in enforcement, suspension of certificates or prosecution. Example: ORO.GEN.200 mandates an SMS.
Not binding, but following it creates legal presumption of compliance. Departing from AMC requires a documented alternative approach agreed with ILT. Example: AMC1 ORO.GEN.200 provides the SMS framework structure.
Explanatory only. Clarifies intent and meaning. Does not create a presumption of compliance. Valuable for understanding EASA's intent when developing procedures and manuals.
Technical design standards used for product certification. CS-25 (large aeroplanes), CS-ACNS (avionics), CS-E (engines). Primarily relevant for design organisations and manufacturers, not operators.
💡 Practical tip: Use the EASA Easy Access Rules
The Easy Access Rules present each IR with its associated AMC and GM directly beneath it — formatted as a single, searchable online document. This is the most practical way to read and work with the regulations. Available free at easa.europa.eu.
EU regulations are directly applicable — they do not require national transposition. However, the national authority is responsible for implementation: it issues certificates and approvals, oversees organisations and enforces the rules. EASA monitors national authorities through standardisation inspections to ensure consistent application across member states.
Once you select your country, this section will show your national authority's name, responsibilities and links.
AOC and Operations Specifications, MEL, OM (acceptance), Alternative Means of Compliance, SPA approvals, key personnel (Nominated Persons), CAMO and Part-145 approvals.
Annual oversight programme based on risk profiling. Includes base audits, ramp inspections (SAFA) and unannounced visits. Findings are issued as Level 1 (safety-critical) or Level 2.
Level 1 findings require immediate corrective action. Persistent non-compliance can lead to AOC suspension or revocation. Criminal prosecution is possible under national law for serious breaches.
When urgent, unforeseeable circumstances prevent compliance with EU rules, an operator may apply to their NAA for a temporary exemption under Article 71 of the Basic Regulation.
The operator must translate every applicable regulatory requirement into documented procedures. The Operations Manual is the primary vehicle — required by ORO.MLR.100. All personnel must comply with the content of the OM; the ILT verifies this during oversight. The table below shows how each OM part maps to the underlying regulations.
Company structure, key personnel, SMS, quality system, FTL scheme, dangerous goods policy, security, occurrence reporting, ground operations, fuel policy.
Checklists, normal/abnormal/emergency procedures, performance data, MEL overview, mass & balance, systems descriptions. One section per aircraft type.
Route qualification, aerodrome operating minima, alternate selection criteria, area-specific procedures (MNPS, polar, overwater), ETOPS planning (if applicable).
Training syllabi for flight crew (initial, conversion, recurrent), cabin crew (SEP, CRM, first aid), and other operational staff (FOO/dispatcher, load controller). Training records management.
Safety policy, hazard identification, risk assessment methodology, safety objectives, safety promotion, emergency response plan, occurrence reporting scheme, safety performance indicators.
Derived from MMEL published by aircraft manufacturer. Accepted by ILT. Defines what equipment may be deferred and under what conditions. Managed by CAMO.
Revision 24 was published 27 March 2026 and incorporated three regulatory instruments. Below is a plain-language summary of what changed and which rules are affected.
EASA cannot change a rule overnight. Every amendment to an implementing regulation must go through a structured process defined in Article 115 of the Basic Regulation. This transparency is by design — it gives operators, pilots and industry the opportunity to comment before rules become binding.
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