ATM Cost-Effectiveness (ACE)

The ATM/CNS provision cost‑effectiveness indicator reached €469 per composite flight‑hour in 2024, the lowest level since 2002 in real terms.

2024 was marked by post‑COVID recovery, with traffic, revenues, costs and staffing levels all surpassing 2019 values at the Pan‑European system level.

Following the temporary adjustments to staffing and the slowing of some investment programmes during the COVID‑19 crisis, 2024 showed clear signs of renewed capacity building.

ANSPs increased recruitment and training of ATCOs, and capital expenditures rebounded sharply. These developments indicate that several ANSPs have been actively expanding their operational capability in a context of robust traffic recovery at the Pan-European system level. This is essential given the record 29.6 million minutes of ATFM delays recorded in 2024, generating an estimated €3.9 billion in costs for airspace users.

As highlighted repeatedly in PRC reports, insufficient ATC capacity results in disproportionately higher costs for airspace users and passengers, often exceeding the cost of deploying additional ATCO resources. Moreover, given the long lead times for ATCO recruitment and training, even with corrective actions underway, significant ATC capacity constraints and staffing‑related delays may continue to affect network performance for several years.

Regarding the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic:

• The crisis exposed the challenges for ANSPs and other ANS stakeholders in making decisions amid high uncertainty on traffic recovery.

• Bridging the revenue gap was a primary concern, with ANSPs relying heavily on cash reserves and access to loan financing.

• Measures containing cost and capex were also implemented, some of which, while necessary at the time, later proved to constrain recovery and capacity redeployment.

• In contrast, greater flexibility in workforce management and operations, as well as a good level of interaction amongst local and European stakeholders, were essential in adapting to the crisis.