Answer given by Ms Vălean on behalf of the European Commission
11.4.2024
As evidenced by the ex-post evaluation of Regulation (EU) No 376/2014 completed in 2020[1], there is no need to amend Regulation (EU) No 376/2014 on the reporting, analysis, and follow-up of occurrences in civil aviation[2] to address Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP).
UAPs already fall into the category of reportable occurrences, namely as UAPs or any other unidentified object that may represent a risk for safety of the civil operations are reported as ‘Unknown Airborne Objects’.
These are collected and stored in the central repository established pursuant to Article 8 of this regulation, and analysed for safety purposes.
Civil aviation occurrences are collected through a harmonised reporting system at EU level, already implemented and managed in accordance with Regulation (EU) 376/2014.
The regulation establishes the obligation for organisations, civil aviation authorities and EU Aviation Safety Agency to set up mandatory and voluntary reporting systems to collect, classify, store, and analyse any occurrence that may represent a risk to civil aviation safety, including UAP.
Finally, with a view to collecting further information and improving aviation safety, the Commission has put in place the ‘aviation reporting portal’[3] that provides common reporting forms for individuals to report occurrences (anonymously, if they wish) using a simple interface.