BRUSSELS, July 2 -- The European Union (EU) issued the first single air safety authorizations to 22 third country operators, which would be valid throughout the EU, said the European Commission on Thursday.

The authorizations were jointly issued by the European Commission and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

By 2016, all non-EU airlines wishing to fly to the EU would be required to certify their compliance with international safety standards.

The EU introduced this new scheme to cut red tape by replacing today's maze of national authorizations with a single document, as well as to maintain a high level of aviation safety in Europe, said the Commission.

Instead, EASA would be the "one-stop shop", delivering authorization to airlines.

"The new safety authorization scheme has a clear European added value. It will take the safety of Europeans one step further by ensuring that third country operators flying to Europe match the highest safety standards, comparable to those the EU requires from European carriers," said Violeta Bulc, EU Commissioner for Transport.

Besides, the new authorization system does not apply to EU airlines, which are still subject to safety oversight and certification by national aviation authorities, said the Commission.