The number of people employed by the European Aviation Safety Agency in Cologne, Germany, has grown from just 10 staff to more than 150 since it became operational in September 2003.

The agency has issued 20,000 certificates since then, formed a partnership with the Federal Aviation Authority, and reinforced stand-ardised inspections of member states, it claimed.

Patrick Goudou, EASA executive director, commented: “Although we have experienced some difficulties, the picture is altogether positive.

“Recent accidents sadly remind us that we must work even harder to establish and maintain a high

and uniform level of civil aviation safety and environmental comp-atibility in Europe.”

The agency said it plans to expand its competencies, first to flight crew licensing, air operations and third country aircraft, and later to airport operations and air traffic control.