Full integration with the Single European Sky

The Single European Sky initiative recognised that a common charging scheme for the air navigation services provided during all phases of flight is a key element in the implementation of an integrated air traffic management system across Europe.

EUROCONTROL, through its Central Route Charges Office, works closely with the European Commission on charging issues.

A common European charging scheme for air navigation services

Provisions of the charging regulation are incorporated into the Principles for Establishing the Cost-Base for Route Facility Charges and the Calculation of the Unit Rates. Therefore, there is a total alignment of both regulations. The common charging system for air navigation services promotes:

• greater transparency for airspace users in the establishment, imposition and collection of charges;
• efficient provision of air navigation services to the users of air navigation services that finance the system;
• integrated service provision - an essential step in the implementation of the Single European Sky (SES).

Route Charges System and implementation of the Single European Sky

The Route Charges System ensures coherence between SES Regulations and EUROCONTROL’s Principles concerning the establishment and collection of air navigation charges.

Data collected by the CRCO is used for the establishment of numerous statistical reports, some of which are used to directly support regulatory impact assessments or to monitor the performance of European ATM (see in particular the Performance Review Commission reports).

Background information on air navigation charges and their regulation can be found in chapter 16 The Regulation of Air Navigation Charges extracted from the book titled "Achieving the Single European Sky - Goals and challenges.

(ISBN 978-90-411-3730-2, issued 2011 by Kluwer Law International BV, The Netherlands)