The European Commission (EC) has agreed to push back the June 7 deadline for ADS-B equipage until December 7, citing the difficulties that operators have faced in meeting the mandate during the Covid-19 pandemic. “The outbreak of the pandemic of Covid-19 virus and the resulting impact on the aviation sector has led to unforeseeable obstacles for aircraft operators to pursue their activities to bring the aircraft in compliance,” the EC stated.

This will ensure the ability of aircraft to continue performing sensitive operations, the EC added, stating that the move would provide operators that had planned to retrofit their aircraft between now and June the necessary time to line up a slot at an avionics shop.

The decision drew strong support from the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA). "EBAA has always supported ADS-B surveillance technology, and while some of our members are already compliant, there are some who will have difficulties meeting requirements in the crisis," said EBAA secretary-general Athar Husain Khan said. “The extra time will go a long way in easing some of the burdens on operators and help the business aviation sector continue to play its vital role in the fight against Covid-19 and the post-crisis European recovery.”