I believe it was Mae West who controversially observed "So many men - so little time!" I suspect ECA is not so controversial, or alone, in observing "So many topics - so little resource!" Consequently, for a small but dynamic organisation such as ours, it is imperative that we focus our resources in the areas which are most important to our members. Thus ensuring we have the greatest impact where there is the greatest priority.

For professional Cockpit Crew, and therefore ECA, safety is the highest priority. On virtually any measure, commercial air transport is the safest way to travel. But it is not safe by chance - taking many tonnes of jet fuel and hundreds of people several kilometres into the sky, often above some very inhospitable parts of the world; this is not inherently safe. It is only because of the tireless efforts of regulators with aviation safety professionals over many years; and the daily efforts of flight crew and other safety professionals, that flying is now the safest way to travel.

However, the job is never complete - the flying public no longer accepts that the odd accident is inevitable. We must ensure the whole industry continues to strive for the holy grail of zero fatal accidents. At the same time, with a more liberalised and competitive aviation market come greater challenges. Shareholders have a short, objective priority list - profits. Rightly so, but that puts a greater burden on the Regulator to ensure that healthy competition in routes, frequencies and service levels do not spill over into competition in levels of safety or security.

ECA believes one of the reasons the European ICAO region's accident rate does not lead the world, is because we are in the middle of a transition from National to EU safety oversight. ECA believes that all actors in Europe must work diligently towards EASA as a strong, independent "one-stop-shop" for safety oversight. A single market without a single regulator is not a coherent solution, and given the huge challenge set by the European Commission of a "ten fold increase" in aviation safety, a single, coherent solution is a requirement for progress.

So notwithstanding our scarce resources, ECA will be prioritising our safety work and investing in EASA. We call on all European Civil Aviation actors to join us in working towards a strong, responsive, independent and expert EASA; effective as soon as possible.