Canso urges EU to ease cost targets so air traffic providers can invest in capacity

Credit: CANSO

European Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) have been under pressure to reduce costs to meet EU efficiency targets, limiting their ability to invest in future capacity. Despite these constraints, they have improved performance and reduced delays, demonstrating that investment in air traffic management (ATM) delivers clear benefits. CANSO is urging the EU to adopt more realistic cost-efficiency targets so ANSPs can continue investing in capacity for growing traffic demand.

The EU Performance Review Board (PRB) Annual Monitoring Report, published on 14 October, details how ANSPs in 29 European countries managed increasing air traffic levels in 2024, with over 9.5 million flights, a 5.2 per cent rise from 2023. ANSPs maintained their record of delivering savings to airspace users, as average European-wide en route actual unit costs fell to €46.62, down seven per cent on 2023 and below the EU target of €49.48.

While ANSPs achieved operational efficiencies, such as a seven per cent increase in the number of maximum sectors open and a two per cent rise in sector opening hours, delays were still influenced by factors including adverse weather, geopolitical instability, and the introduction of new ATM systems and staffing. Although the total number of operative air traffic control officers (ATCOs) increased, recruiting and training sufficient personnel remains a major challenge. CANSO argues that cost-efficiency targets should better reflect the need for long-term capacity investment.

Encouragingly, improvements in summer 2025 have already led to reduced delays. EUROCONTROL data for 1 June to 15 September 2025 show that traffic across 42 European countries rose by three per cent compared with the same period in 2024, while average en-route delays per flight fell by thirty-one per cent. This reduction reflects the benefits of investment in airspace design, technology, and controller availability.

Enrico Parini, CANSO Director Europe Affairs, said: “The PRB’s Annual Monitoring Report gives a picture of the complexities and challenges of air traffic management in European airspace last year. Our members delivered more capacity to meet growing traffic demand while also pushing down costs. European ANSPs are committed to continuing the recent reduction in delays over the long term. We call for EU regulation to allow them greater flexibility to invest in the future to meet airlines’ needs.”

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