CAAS and FAA Deepen Partnership to Enhance Global Safety Collaboration

On 23 September 2025, United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford and Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) Director-General Han Kok Juan have signed an enhanced Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement – Implementation Procedures for Airworthiness (BASA-IPA) at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) 42nd Assembly.

The enhanced agreement builds on the initial BASA-IPA signed between the FAA and CAAS in 2007 and is the result of a joint review by both authorities, which included FAA site visits to aviation and aerospace companies based in Singapore.

This new agreement streamlines the validation process for specific aircraft modification designs between the FAA and CAAS. Under the updated agreement, the FAA will now recognise CAAS approvals for minor aircraft modifications, all aircraft repairs, and minor changes to article designs.

Director-General Han Kok Juan said, “The expansion of the CAAS-FAA mutual recognition agreement is a testament to our close partnership and the trust and confidence and marks a new milestone in Singapore-US aviation cooperation. It will significantly benefit Singapore-based companies which require U.S.’s approval, or whose customers require the U.S.’s approval, for their work.”

In a media release, Administrator Bryan Bedford said that “the agreement underscores a significant step forward in our efforts with CAAS.”

“By streamlining regulatory processes while maintaining the highest standards of safety, we are strengthening global aviation partnerships and fostering innovation for the aerospace industry worldwide,” Administrator Bedford added.

^{Photo from choking from Getty Images, Canva.}