The flagship project to create a single European airspace is not delivering after more than 10 years

The European Commission confirms that the Single European Sky is "not delivering" after 10 years on. However, the Commission also announced its intention to present new legislative proposals in Spring 2013 to accelerate implementation, as well as taking all enforcement actions possible, including infringements where necessary. According to the Commission, inefficiencies caused by Europe's fragmented airspace bring extra costs of close to €5 billion each year.

The Single European Sky (SES) is a flagship European initiative to reform the architecture of European air traffic control, to meet future capacity and safety needs. Speaking at the high-level conference "Single European Sky: time for action" in Limassol (Cyprus), Vice-President Kallas remarked that after more than 10 years, the core problems remain the same: too little capacity generating the potential for a negative impact on safety at too high a price. Therefore, the Single European Sky, the flagship project to create a single European airspace – tripling capacity and halving air traffic costs – is "not delivering". In July 2012, the European Commission approved national performance plans to improve air traffic management under the period 2012-2014 of the Single European Sky Performance Scheme.

According to the European Commission, inefficiencies caused by Europe's fragmented airspace bring extra costs of close to €5 billion each year. It adds 42 kilometres to the distance of an average flight, forcing aircraft to burn more fuel, generate more emissions, pay more in costly user-charges and suffer greater delays. The United States controls the same amount of airspace, with more traffic, at almost half the cost.

Vice-President Kallas also announced that in order to ensure the necessary progress, the Commission will use its existing enforcement powers to the maximum, if necessary including infringements. In addition, in Spring 2013, the Commission will bring forward proposals to strengthen the existing SES legal framework, with a view to accelerating the on-going reforms.