A 2011 study for Eurocontrol had estimated that the cost of Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) delays amounted to more than €12.5 billion or €1.66 per ATFM-delayed flight.
The European Commission engaged Steer to investigate mechanisms for developing a framework for air navigation services (ANS) to vary (or “modulate”) charges to encourage greater flight efficiency and a reduction in delay.
We examined four possible changes to charges: introducing congestion pricing; harmonising the allocation of costs between en-route and terminal activities; varying charges to incentivise equipping aircraft with SESAR technology, and moving towards common charging zones.
In each case, we examined precedents for the proposals in other sectors and the practicalities in applying them to charges for ANS. We also consulted a wide range of industry stakeholders on the feasibility and effectiveness of each approach.
Successes and outcomes
We carried out a preliminary cost-benefit analysis of each of the proposed changes, enabling us to identify not only the likely costs and benefits but also the timescales over which they would arise and the parties who would be most affected.
We made recommendations on the four proposed approaches to reducing congestion. In each case we set out proposed activities and timescales, varying from 2-10 years, depending on the nature and complexity of the issues to be resolved.
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