The European Commission approved national performance plans to improve air traffic management under the period 2012-2014 of the Single European Sky Performance Scheme. The plans are accepted as broadly in line with legally established European Union-wide targets. However, the Commission also adopted recommendations to Member States for further improvements.

The European Commission approved national performance plans to reduce costs and increase capacity in the provision of air traffic management services. The Single European Sky Performance Scheme is expected to save billions of Euros to the benefit of airspace users and passengers under the period 2012-2014. EESC Members adopted an opinion in September 2011 which stressed that implementing the Single European Sky is a priority for Europe.

The Performance Scheme of the Single European Sky aims at setting and implementing binding targets for Member States to deliver better air navigation services, leading to cheaper flights, less delays, and the saving of unnecessary costs for airlines and passengers. In addition, the environmental impact of air traffic will be reduced due to more efficient and shorter flight paths.

It has been estimated that during the 2012-2014 period, airspace users will pay around €19 billion on air navigation charges. Depending on the type of airline, these charges represent between 6% and 10% of the airline’s operating costs. These are significant costs that are ultimately borne by passengers. Nevertheless, the contribution from different Member States to the targets varies substantially. For instance, Spain and Portugal have made a major effort to achieve the pan-European cost-efficiency target.