The report provides a comprehensive overview of 2024 network performance, highlighting the key conclusions and the issues that the EUROCONTROL Network Manager (NM) and the wider stakeholder community need to address going forward.
Thanks to the significant efforts made by operational stakeholders – airspace users, ANSPs, airports, military, ground handlers, States, and EUROCONTROL's Network Manager – and considering the robust plan that had been agreed upon, there was an increase in punctuality, stability, predictability, and capacity in the European aviation network in the first part of the year. As a result of this joint work and cooperation, the clear common objective of making 2024 a manageable year was on track. However, Summer 2024’s operational complexities and the significant increase in traffic proved to be very challenging.
The growth of European air traffic in 2024 was unprecedented and will continue steadily throughout this decade. Traffic is rapidly growing and is expected to be close, at the European ATM network level, to the volume of traffic reached during Summer 2019. In many parts of the network, the traffic is already 20-30% (or even higher) than the traffic in 2019. To this significant traffic increase, other complexities are to be considered: the non-availability of Ukrainian airspace due to the war of aggression in Ukraine, the significant increase in military requirements for more intensive training, national and multinational military exercises, as well as the requests for more airspace related to the introduction of 5th generation fighter aircraft. In addition, weather evolutions are adding another layer of complexity in the planning and management of European airspace.