WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?
Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 sets out the main rules and principles for establishing and maintaining a high and uniform level of civil aviation safety in the European Union (EU), set out in Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 (and previously in Regulation (EC) No 216/2008).
KEY POINTS
The regulation includes detailed rules for:
- air operations with aeroplanes and helicopters, including ramp inspections1 of aircraft of another EU Member State’s operators when landing at aerodromes located in the territory, subject to EU treaty rules;
- the conditions for issuing, maintaining, amending, limiting, suspending or revoking the certificates of aircraft operators carrying out commercial air transport operations2;
- the privileges and responsibilities of the certificate holders and the conditions under which operations are prohibited, limited or subject to certain conditions in the interest of safety;
- the conditions and procedures for the declaration, by operators carrying out commercial specialised operations of aeroplanes and helicopters or non-commercial operations, of their capability and of the availability of the means to discharge the responsibilities associated with the operation of aircraft;
- the conditions and procedures for the oversight of such operators; and
- the conditions under which certain high-risk commercial specialised operations are subject to authorisation in the interest of safety, and on the conditions for issuing, maintaining, amending, limiting, suspending or revoking such authorisations.
It does not apply to:
- military, customs, police or similar air operations;
- air operations with tethered balloons and airships or tethered balloon flights;
- balloons – dedicated proportionate, risk-based operational rules for balloons have been laid down in Regulation (EU) 2018/395;
- sailplanes – detailed rules for the operation of sailplanes have been laid down in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1976.
The European Commission has adopted several implementing acts, including the following.
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1387 updates the requirements for aeroplane landing performance calculations and the standards for assessing runway surface conditions. It also provides an update on certain aircraft safety equipment and requirements, and on operations that do not hold extended-range approval.
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/203 introduces information security and cybersecurity risk management requirements for organisations and competent authorities subject to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012.
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1020 updates the rules for helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) operations and certain helicopter rescue operations.
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1111 introduces conditions for innovative air mobility operations in accordance with visual flight rules by day conducted with the surface in sight with single-pilot manned aircraft with a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability referred to Regulation (EU) 2018/1139. It also addresses aspects of the transport of dangerous goods by air by these aircraft in accordance with international best practices and standards. The regulation also:
- introduces a new annex to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 setting out requirements to address the operations of aircraft with VTOL capability;
- extends the scope of existing certification requirements for commercial air transport in Annexes II and III; and
- updates Annex V to enable emergency medical services and rescue operations with manned aircraft with VTOL capability.
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/24 sets new requirements for aircraft operators related to ground handling activities.
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/133 extends the scope of Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 to include non-commercial operations conducted in visual flight rules conditions with gyroplanes.
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2293 amends Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/203 regarding information security requirements for certain aviation organisations and corrects several aviation safety regulations, including Regulation (EU) No 965/2012, to ensure consistency of those rules.
FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?
It has applied since 28 October 2012.
BACKGROUND
For further information, see:
KEY TERMS
- Ramp inspection. A check performed prior to take-off, including an inspection of documentation, flight plans and the aircraft itself.
- Commercial air transport operation. An aircraft operation to transport passengers, cargo or mail for profit.
MAIN DOCUMENT
Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 of 5 October 2012 laying down technical requirements and administrative procedures related to air operations pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 296, 25.10.2012, pp. 1–148).
Successive amendments to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 have been incorporated into the original document. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.
RELATED DOCUMENTS
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/24 of 19 December 2024 amending Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 as regards requirements for aircraft operators related to ground handling activities (OJ L, 2025/24, 7.3.2025).
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/203 of 27 October 2022 laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council, as regards requirements for the management of information security risks with a potential impact on aviation safety for organisations covered by Commission Regulations (EU) No 1321/2014, (EU) No 965/2012, (EU) No 1178/2011, (EU) 2015/340, Commission Implementing Regulations (EU) 2017/373 and (EU) 2021/664, and for competent authorities covered by Commission Regulations (EU) No 748/2012, (EU) No 1321/2014, (EU) No 965/2012, (EU) No 1178/2011, (EU) 2015/340 and (EU) No 139/2014, Commission Implementing Regulations (EU) 2017/373 and (EU) 2021/664 and amending Commission Regulations (EU) No 1178/2011, (EU) No 748/2012, (EU) No 965/2012, (EU) No 139/2014, (EU) No 1321/2014, (EU) 2015/340, and Commission Implementing Regulations (EU) 2017/373 and (EU) 2021/664 (OJ L 31, 2.2.2023, pp. 1–40).
See consolidated version.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1976 of 14 December 2018 laying down detailed rules for the operation of sailplanes pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 326, 20.12.2018, pp. 64–75).
See consolidated version.
Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2018 on common rules in the field of civil aviation and establishing a European Union Aviation Safety Agency, and amending Regulations (EC) No 2111/2005, (EC) No 1008/2008, (EU) No 996/2010, (EU) No 376/2014 and Directives 2014/30/EU and 2014/53/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Regulations (EC) No 552/2004 and (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EEC) No 3922/91 (OJ L 212, 22.8.2018, pp. 1–122).
See consolidated version.
Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/395 of 13 March 2018 laying down detailed rules for the operation of balloons pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 71, 14.3.2018, pp. 10–35).
See consolidated version.
