The State of Play

Chapter 6 discusses some of the suggestions made in our first book regarding the establishment of an EU accident investigation body to investigate major aviation accidents and serious incidents within the EU without being limited by resources, experience, skills, or the influence of potential external factors, as well as an Aviation Tribunal or Aviation Court serving as a central forum for the criminal prosecution of aviation personnel. This forum would have a uniform set of rules and procedures specifically focused on the complexities of aviation accidents and serious incidents, addressing the trials of aviation professionals more fairly, equally, with certainty, and predictability. Notable developments such as the establishment of ENCASIA, the European Network of Civil Aviation Safety Investigation Authorities aimed at further improving the quality of investigations conducted by air safety investigation authorities of the Member States and to strengthen their independence; the establishment of several Regional Accident and Incident Investigation Organizations (RAIOs); the Shanghai International Aviation Court of Arbitration (SIACA); the Hague Court of Arbitration for Aviation (HCAA); and the Aviation Expertise Centre of the PPS in the Netherlands are highlighted.