The Future of JAA (FUJA) plan was initiated following a decision by the Directors General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). They determined that the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) would take over all regulatory responsibilities previously held by the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA). In response, the JAA Board created a detailed “Roadmap”. This document outlines clear milestones for the JAA’s medium-term activities. A dedicated FUJA Working Group produced this roadmap, specifying when and how each activity would transition or end.
The roadmap also addressed how to maintain ties with non-EU states during this transition, as well as funding for the JAA. Key components included a gradual transfer of functions, starting with certification and maintenance. The next phases involved air operations and pilot licensing. An essential part of this plan was ensuring transparency for non-EASA Member States in relevant decisions. The ultimate aim was to fully integrate JAA activities within EASA, allowing for participation from non-EASA Member States.
After EASA’s creation in September 2003, the competence for certification and maintenance for EU Member States shifted to EASA. This marked the beginning of a structured reduction in JAA activities, guided by fixed milestones. The next significant step extended EASA’s scope to aircraft operations and crew licensing. This was achieved through the publication of Regulation (EC) N°. 216/2008 on February 20, 2008, which replaced the original EASA Basic Regulation (EC) N°. 1592/2002.
To represent the interests of JAA Member States not part of EASA, the JAA Liaison Office (JAA-LO) continued to operate after the initial transition. They facilitated these states’ involvement in EASA’s decision-making processes. However, the JAA-LO ceased to exist on June 30, 2009, marking the official closure of the JAA.
In terms of regulations, the introduction of IR-OPS (Regulation (EC) 965/2012) by the European Commission set out detailed rules for commercial air transport operations. This regulation included ramp inspections for aircraft from operators under another State’s oversight. IR-OPS replaced EU-OPS (Regulation (EC) 859/2008) and came into effect on October 28, 2012. However, EASA Member States were allowed to postpone implementation until October 2014.
One function that was not transferred to EASA was formal training in aviation safety. To address this, the JAA established the JAA Training Organisation (JAA-TO) before its closure. This separate entity continues to operate as a self-sustaining business, registered in the Netherlands. Headquartered in Hoofddorp, JAA-TO offers a variety of formal training courses on aviation topics worldwide, many of which align with EASA requirements. Additionally, it has become the first EASA Examination Provider globally, equipped to meet EASA’s standards.
