Apron Management Services at Aerodromes (EU) 2020/1234

The European Commission has recently published an amendment to the Regulation (EU) 139/2014. 

The new Commission Delegated Regulation, referred to as (EU) 2020/1234, amends the (EU) 139/2014 by adding and amending the authoritative (AR), organisational (OR) and operational (OPS) requirements regarding certification, oversight, and procedures of Apron Management Services (AMS). 

EASA defines AMS as “a service provided to manage the activities and the movement of aircraft and vehicles on an apron”.

AMS can be provided by the Aerodrome Operator, a dedicated organisation, or Air Traffic Services. Combinations are also possible and commonplace. 

Therefore, a dedicated set of additional requirements for AMS is now provided in the Annex III to Regulation (EU) 139/2014, titled "Subpart F - Apron Management Service" as a subpart of aerodrome organisation. 

Additionally, in Annex IV to Regulation (EU) No 139/2014, the "Subpart D – Apron Management Operations" was added: incl. new requirements catering for safe apron operations (e.g. Aircraft Stand Allocation, Jet Blast, Training and Proficiency). 

What does this new regulation mean for Aerodrome Operators? 

The Aerodrome Operator shall have a written agreement with the provider of AMS and ensure that formal arrangements are established between the provider of AMS and the Air Traffic Service provider. 

When a certified Aerodrome Operator intends to provide AMS itself, it shall: 

• Notify its Competent Authority 
• Revise its safety policy to include the provision of AMS 
• Submit to the Competent Authority the training programme of the personnel intended to be used for the provision of the service 

Aerodrome Operators which do not have an AMS in place still need to comply with the newly added Subpart D – Apron Management Operations (Part ADR.OPS). 

What is the challenge for Aerodrome Operators now? 

Generally, the Aerodrome Operator should have a clear picture of all potentially involved stakeholders and responsibilities when implementing or declaring an AMS. These primarily include: 

• Air Traffic Services 
• The Organisation responsible for the provision of AMS 
• Operations Unit 

If an AMS is provided or intended to be provided by a dedicated organisation, the main challenge lays with the AMS provider. This includes the establishment and maintenance of an AMS Management System (similar to an Aerodrome Operator’s Safety Management System). 

In addition, a comprehensive statement of compliance, covering all applicable requirements of (EU) 2018/1139, Part ADR.OR and Part ADR.OPS shall be submitted as part of a declaration of compliance to the Competent Authority. 

However, the tasks mentioned above should all be conducted in close consultation with the Aerodrome Operator. 

It is important to note that all Aerodrome Operators are required to demonstrate and document compliance with the newly added Subpart D (i.e. Implementing Rules – IRs). 

Is your Airport ready for the new regulation?  

The regulation is binding and shall apply from 20 March 2022. Aerodrome Operators should be proactive and start assessing the impact and ways of implementation of the new requirements at their airport as early as possible. 

How can airsight support you with the upcoming changes and AMS compliance? 

airsight has performed gap analyses, compliance checks and audits on aerodrome management systems for many years. This includes the collection and review of required evidences as part of the declaration of compliance and certification. 

In addition, airsight has performed comprehensive feasibility and impact studies on AMS implementation, focussing on identifying potential efficiency benefits through the provision of an AMS and how to establish a new dedicated function. 

Please feel free to contact us for a quote for a gap analysis, compliance check or audit if you want to find out whether you or your dedicated AMS provider is well positioned for the new requirements.