The goal is to provide policy makers and ATM stakeholders with objective information and independent advice concerning the performance of European ATM, based on analysis, consultation and information provided by relevant parties.
Performance Review Report (PRR) 2024
The independent Performance Review Commission (PRC) has just released its Performance Review Report 2024, evaluating European Air Traffic Management (ATM) performance across a wide spectrum of key performance areas, including safety, capacity, environment, and cost-efficiency.
European Air Traffic Management faces growing challenges in 2024 as traffic rebounds
In 2024, European air traffic remained 4.3% below pre-COVID levels, but with significant shifts in traffic patterns due to the war in Ukraine and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. While states in Northern Europe remained below 2019 levels, some regions in Southern Europe notably exceeded 2019 traffic levels in 2024.
As air traffic continues to grow, concerns over the performance of European Air Traffic Management are rising.
En-route air traffic flow management delays in 2024 reached their highest level in decades, averaging 2.13 minutes per flight. The delays were driven by a limited number of capacity-constrained Area Control Centres and an increase in weather-related disruptions—a trend that could worsen in 2025.
After a temporary decline during the pandemic, total CO2 emissions from European aviation almost returned to 2019 levels – despite still fewer flights in 2024. Increased emissions from longer and heavier flights outweighed the savings from fewer and more fuel-efficient aircraft.
En-route unit rates continue to rise in 2025, primarily due to inflation and the carryover of losses from the COVID-19 pandemic, which are gradually being recovered on top of the chargeable cost bases.
Read the full Performance Review Report 2024 for a comprehensive analysis of European ATM performance in 2024.
Background
The Performance Review Commission is an independent body providing objective information and independent advice to EUROCONTROL’s governing bodies on European air traffic management (ATM) performance, based on extensive research, data analysis and consultation with stakeholders. The PRC reports to the EUROCONTROL Permanent Commission through the Provisional Council and is supported by the Performance Review Unit (PRU) operating under the EUROCONTROL Agency with the appropriate level of independence. More information can be found here Performance Review Commission | Aviation Intelligence Portal.
Notice
The PRC has made every effort to ensure that the information and analysis contained in this document are as accurate and complete as possible. Despite these precautions, should you find any errors or inconsistencies we would be grateful if you could please bring them to the Performance Review Unit's attention.