Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 27, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 27, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleEurope’s aviation regulator, EASA, reports that relations with the U.S. FAA have markedly improved and that Boeing is now responding appropriately to regulatory scrutiny, signaling a reduction in prior transatlantic safety tensions.
By Tim Hepher and Joanna Plucinska
COLOGNE, March 27 (Reuters) - Europe's top aviation regulator signalled improved relations with the U.S. FAA and said Boeing was responding "in the appropriate manner" to regulatory scrutiny, suggesting recent transatlantic tensions over aviation safety have eased.
Relations between the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration soured after fatal Boeing 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019 were linked to flawed software and poor oversight, prompting EASA to take a closer look at Boeing designs.
"Very honestly and transparently, I think it has improved quite a lot. We are working now as trustful partners," EASA Executive Director Florian Guillermet said in an interview.
"We are in a phase where we are trusting the FAA to do the right things, and I have no indication today that they are not taking care of their homework and that Boeing ... is not reacting appropriately," he said.
"We do see that the FAA is taking care of what they should be taking care of, and that Boeing is reacting to that in the appropriate manner," he said, adding that his remarks referred to both aircraft certification and production issues.
EASA is the lead regulator for Airbus jets and one of several major agencies that certify domestic aircraft while recognising each other's decisions through bilateral agreements, though they can ask detailed questions.
The international system of mutual recognition came under strain in January when U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to decertify Canadian business jets and impose extra tariffs unless Canada approved a number of U.S. models.
Guillermet declined to comment directly on the dispute but said the overall certification system should remain free of interference.
"It is a technical job that has to remain a technical job," he said.
(Reporting by Joanna Plucinska, Tim Hepher. Editing by Mark Potter)
EASA signalled that its relationship with the U.S. FAA has improved and they are now working as trustful partners.
EASA's Executive Director said Boeing is reacting in the appropriate manner to increased regulatory scrutiny.
Tensions rose after fatal Boeing 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019, linked to flawed software and oversight, leading EASA to scrutinize Boeing more closely.
EASA is the lead regulator for Airbus jets and, along with other agencies, certifies domestic aircraft and recognizes mutual certification agreements.
EASA maintains that aircraft certification should remain a technical job and be free from political interference.
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