Airspace Capacity Needs Better EU Regulation

As European air traffic continues to grow and our airspace becomes more complex, European air navigation service providers (ANSPs) are approaching a critical juncture in what they can deliver to their customers, the airspace users. Under the EU regulatory framework for the Single European Sky, the ATM Performance and Charging Scheme[1], ANSPs are restricted in their investments in both staffing and infrastructure. The EU must choose whether it wants a healthy aviation market for airlines and their passengers or one that prioritises saving costs above reliability.

European ANSPs have an obligation to deliver safe, stable, and efficient airspace operations but they must now accommodate increasing levels of traffic in an increasingly challenging environment. The conflict in Ukraine has had a profound impact, shifting traffic patterns across Europe and closing off airspace for military use.  There are also many more incidences of adverse weather, disrupting flight plans. The result is far more volatility in European airspace at a time when there is more air traffic crossing the skies. 

The  Cost Efficiency targets recently set by the European Commission for the Fourth Reference Period of the Performance Scheme (RP4, 2025-2029) continue this outdated approach.  For the past two decades, total ANSP costs have remained generally stable while the overall trend of air traffic levels has been upwards. The result is insufficient ATM capacity and more air traffic flow management delays, particularly during peak travel seasons. EU Cost Efficiency targets are therefore a false economy. 

As CANSO Director General Simon Hocquard explains: “Airlines and their passengers expect ever more capacity but CANSO’s members are limited in what they can invest to provide what is needed. We therefore call on the European Commission to adopt a new approach to ATM regulation and support levels of future investment in ATM that will transform our industry. Only in this way can ANSPs address the continued traffic growth.”

As airlines continue to order more aircraft, they expect ANSPs to meet more demand. In order to provide what they need and their passengers deserve, the priority for the regulatory framework should be targets that enable traffic growth and facilitate technological transformation. Performance targets should be set so that the ANSPs can plan extensive investments in new technologies, new procedures and new air traffic controllers.

“We recognise that the European Commission is in a difficult position in finding a commonly acceptable long-term solution to the issue of airspace capacity. Therefore we call on the airline industry and the Commission to work with CANSO to ensure the efficient growth of the aviation sector in Europe,” says Mr. Hocquard. 

Read the full press release and background information