Older turboprop planes must follow new European maintenance rules

The US Federal Aviation Administration is updating its safety rules for certain ATR turboprop airplanes. These planes must now follow new or stricter maintenance schedules, based on European safety standards.

Airlines operating these older turboprop models now have to spend more on maintenance and inspections. This change means that even if a plane is certified in the US, its ongoing safety requirements can be dictated by European regulators. It shows how global aviation safety standards often converge, with one major regulator's rules quickly becoming the de facto standard.