Abstract:

The purpose of this article is the demonstration that risk governance and mitigation in aviation can only be comprehended as an abstract concept on a higher level where several mitigating actions have to be derived from. Due to the fact that the European airspace is tight, there is a new approach to effectiveness, on the one hand, and to safety issues, on the other one: the Single European Sky Project (SES). Thinking about airspaces and aviation safety means thinking about a closely cooperating Europe with various member states together with a variety of different stakeholders. Risk governance is a challenge to be met on every single level, be it local, national or throughout Europe. Risk assessment and mitigation is an ongoing process for all participants in aviation. It demands a close cooperation and a thoroughly done communication between all parts in aviation on every level in order to identify the weaknesses in the system and create sufficient safety barriers.