What are route charges?

The costs of air traffic management (ATM) services in Europe (infrastructure, staff and other operational costs) are funded through air navigation charges.  ATM services are funded through the “user pays principle”.

There are different sorts of air navigation charges: route charges, terminal navigation charges, and communication charges. Charges are directly cost-related and they are calculated in a totally transparent manner. They are also subject to consultation with airspace users’ associations.

The EUROCONTROL Central Route Charges Office (CRCO) bills and collects route charges on behalf of all EUROCONTROL’s Member States.

The CRCO has a variety of resources which it uses to calculate, bill and collect route charges. These include data on flights, aircraft and aircraft operators. The CRCO can also use these resources to bill and collect other air navigation charges, such as terminal and communication charges, on behalf of EUROCONTROL Member and non-Member States.

Learn more about:

• The common route charges system
• The Central Route Charges Office (CRCO)
• Charging zones