ATM Cost-Effectiveness (ACE) First look at ANSPs' 2024 data

In 2024, ATM/CNS costs per composite flight-hour stood at €470, which represents the lowest level since the inception of ACE benchmarking activities. This performance was driven by a combination of high ATCO-hour productivity and historically low unit support costs. However, when considering the economic cost-effectiveness indicator, a concerning trend emerges: the proportion of costs attributed to ATFM delays increased steadily during the traffic recovery phase, reaching 27% in 2024 — the highest share ever recorded. 

Although the root causes may vary depending on specific local circumstances, these preliminary findings suggest that the ATM industry has not successfully achieved the right balance between improving cost-effectiveness and addressing the capacity issues that were already evident five years ago.