Joint Aviation Authorities: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

The Joint Aviation Authorities, or JAA, is the predominant regulatory body for aviation in Europe. It is associated with the European Civil Aviation Conference, and JAA membership is open to all members of the ECAC. Currently, 37 of the 41 ECAC members are also JAA members.

It is roughly equivalent to the Federal Aviation Administration in the USA in that its primary concern is air safety, followed by the viability of the aviation industry. The JAA and the FAA are the two main agencies responsible for the certification of new commercial aircraft. The JAA and FAA have a reciprocity agreement, meaning that each agrees to certify aircraft certified by the other agency.

The JAA is not part of, nor is it affiliated with, the European Union, although the JAA aims to eventually become part of the EU umbrella as a new European Aviation Safety Agency. Its headquarters are in the Netherlands.