The Council of the European Union has published a corrigendum to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/20 on aviation safety, extending the deadline for existing ground handling service providers to submit a required declaration from March 2024 to March 2027. The change, issued as a cover note on 2 October 2026, aims to correct a date in the implementing rules and give operators more time to comply with new safety requirements.
The corrigendum amends the delegated regulation that supplements Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 on common rules in civil aviation. The original regulation, adopted in early 2025, introduced harmonised safety standards for ground handling services across the EU. The extension applies to organisations already providing services before the regulation entered into force, allowing them until March 2027 to submit the declaration of compliance.
Policy orientations and trade-offs The deadline extension reflects a balance between safety objectives and operational feasibility. On one hand, the delay may slow the full implementation of uniform safety standards, potentially leaving gaps in oversight for an additional three years. On the other hand, it gives ground handling companies, many of which are small and medium-sized enterprises, more time to adapt their procedures and documentation without facing immediate non-compliance. The corrigendum does not alter the substantive requirements, only the timeline.
Impact on stakeholders - Ground handling service providers: Benefit from reduced regulatory pressure and more time to prepare, avoiding potential penalties or operational disruptions. However, they may delay investments in safety upgrades. - Airlines and airport operators: May face a longer period of inconsistent safety practices among handlers, but also avoid sudden service interruptions due to non-compliance. - National aviation authorities: Gain additional time to develop oversight capacity, but must manage a prolonged transition period. - Passengers: Indirectly affected; safety improvements are postponed, but the risk of service disruptions decreases.
Expected institutional follow-up The corrigendum will be formally adopted by the Commission and published in the Official Journal of the EU. No further Council action is required. The European Parliament has already been informed as part of the scrutiny process for delegated acts.
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