The current European aviation en-route charging system is governed by the Single European Sky (SES) framework, which aims to harmonise and integrate European airspace management. Here's how the system generally works:
Charging Principles: Aircraft operators are charged for using en-route air navigation services based on the distance flown through each airspace sector (route charging). Charges are also levied based on the aircraft's maximum take-off weight (MTOW) to reflect the impact of heavier aircraft on the airspace system.
Charging Zones: European airspace is divided into charging zones known as Functional Airspace Blocks (FABs). FABs are designed to optimise airspace management across national borders and reduce fragmentation.
Cost-Reflectiveness: Charges are intended to reflect the actual cost of providing en-route services, including air traffic management (ATM) and communication, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) infrastructure.
Central Route Charges Office (CRCO) @ Eurocontrol: The European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol) plays a central role in implementing the charging system. Eurocontrol collects charges from airspace users on behalf of national authorities and provides a centralised platform for billing and invoicing.
Performance-Based Charging: The SES framework emphasises performance-based regulation. This means that charges can be adjusted based on the efficiency and quality of services provided by air navigation service providers (ANSPs).
Transparent Pricing: The charging system aims for transparency, ensuring that airspace users understand how charges are calculated and allocated.
Regulation and Oversight: The European Commission sets regulations and directives to ensure fair competition, efficiency, and safety within the aviation sector. National authorities and Eurocontrol enforce these regulations.
Unfortunately, this system encounters challenges in effectively encouraging environmental practices among aviation stakeholders. Many aircraft operations are driven by the 'lowest cost' flight plan, which may not align with routes that minimise fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, travel time, or overall climate impact. Given the ambitious goals of the Green Deal, there is a pressing need to integrate environmental considerations into route charging and performance schemes.
Such a scheme should encompass both CO2 and non-CO2 emissions, the latter of which contribute significantly to aviation's overall climate impact, accounting for approximately half of its total effect on climate change.