European approval for implementation of commercial single-engine turbine operations in instrument meteorological conditions (SET-IMC) remains on pace for early next year following a recent clearance by the European Aviation Safety Agency Committee. The committee, comprising European Commission members and national experts from each European Union country, voted on the measure last week.

GAMA praised the action, calling it “a key milestone in completing two decades of technical work between industry and regulators,” and saying it puts Europe on a path to align with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) standard. ICAO released a standard for commercial SET-IMC more than a decade ago, and Europe is the last major region that has not yet authorized the widespread adoption of such operations.

“The EASA has led the way to establish a safety framework for these operations,” said Jens Hennig, v-p of operations for GAMA. “It is a welcome development for manufacturers, operators and service providers.”

Hennig added that the regulation will improve cargo delivery to remote regions and expand passenger transport to underserved markets. The new regulation could be implemented six months after it is officially published.