The Single European Sky performance scheme

Abstract

Air Traffic Management in Europe could be performing better – and if it were, it would reduce delays, ticket prices and the environmental impact of air transport. The EU’s Single European Sky (SES) legislation has introduced a performance scheme which defines mandatory performance targets for the Air Navigation Service Providers of EU Member States. But, the process of defining the targets is complex and regulation is becoming ever more detailed. Are there ways to make this process simpler? Are the incentives of the schemes properly aligned? And is this type of ‘economic regulation’ even the right tool to address the challenges of the sector? The targets for the upcoming five-year Reference Period are currently being defined. On this occasion the 9th Florence Air Forum gathered the relevant stakeholders in Florence to discuss the theoretical basis as well as ideas for the practical improvement of the SES Performance Scheme.