The Route Charges System
A common route charges system
How did the Route Charges System come about?
In 1971, the seven EUROCONTROL Member States at the time decided:
- to adopt a common policy for en route charging
- to create a joint system for the establishment, billing and collection of en route charges and
- to use EUROCONTROL for these purposes.
The EUROCONTROL Route Charges System funds the costs of en route air traffic management (ATM) services provided by EUROCONTROL’s Member States, based upon the “user pays” principle.
It is fully aligned with ICAO’s recommendations.
The system is governed by:
- the EUROCONTROL Convention and
- the Multilateral Agreement relating to Route Charges, signed in 1981.
The accession of a State to the EUROCONTROL Convention implies simultaneous accession to the Multilateral Agreement. As such, all Member States of EUROCONTROL are today Contracting States to the Multilateral Agreement.
The technical integration of a new Contracting State into the Multilateral Route Charges System only takes place after all the legal and technical requirements have been met.
The system is based on transparent decision-making processes, stringent internal and external controls and on an effective user consultation process. Providing coordinated route-charging mechanisms eliminates duplication and improves both the transparency and efficiency of cost-recovery over the widest possible area.
Who collects en route charges?
The EUROCONTROL Central Route Charges Office (CRCO) is responsible for establishing, billing and collecting en route charges, on behalf of EUROCONTROL’s Member States, and for disbursing the charges collected to the States.
The Route Charges System and the CRCO in a nutshell
The Route Charges System is:
- regional: it covers our Member States;
- simple: a single charge per flight in one currency payable to one body;
- equitable: route charges are paid by users and not by taxpayers;
- non-discriminatory: charges are calculated with the same rules and applied to all parties;
- cost related: our principles ensure that only air traffic management (ATM) costs are charged;
- cost effective: low collection costs, high recovery rate.
- We establish and collect the route charges and disburse them to our Member States;
- We participate in the development of the Route Charges System;
- We establish and collect terminal charges and disburse them to Member States;
- We establish and collect terminal charges and disburse them to non-Member States;
- We provide advisory services to Member and non-Member States;
- We assist the European Commission in preparing the regulatory changes and in monitoring States’ compliance with EC regulations related to charges.
Our mission
EUROCONTROL provides its stakeholders with an efficient cost-recovery system that funds air navigation facilities and services and supports air traffic management developments. The Route Charges System is an example of effective cooperation at European level which Member States want to continue and strengthen.
Our vision
In an increasingly competitive environment, the quality and cost-effectiveness of billing and collection services for air navigation services will be crucial. The Route Charges System will be the best provider for financing air navigation services in the pan-European context, by consistently anticipating and adapting to the requirements of EUROCONTROL Member States, ANSPs, airspace users and staff.
We strive to:
- continue to operate and develop the multilateral Route Charges System by meeting the needs of States, air navigation service providers and airspace users in terms of quality of service and cost-effectiveness;
- ensure the continuity of billing and collection services and the security of operation of the Route Charges System;
- effectively support the regulation of the Route Charges System and to contribute to monitoring the compliance of States' cost-bases with the applicable regulations and principles.
- eventually include all ECAC States.
Fraud Warning
Do not become a victim of fraud attempts. If you have doubts about the validity of bills and statements of account, contact us immediately.
Customer Support
For questions on bills, claims or information on charges to customers, contact us via
Email:
r3.crco@eurocontrol.int
Tel:
+32 2 729 38 38