Summary of capacity performance
The Czech Republic experienced a 14% increase in traffic from 616k flights in 2022 to 703k flights in 2023. Despite the significant increase in traffic, ATFM delays decreased from 730k minutes in 2022 to 56k minutes of delay in 2023. (Note: 84% of ATFM delays in 2022 were attributed, either to the war in Ukraine, or, to the implementation of the Top Sky ATM system). Traffic levels and ATFM delays are still significantly below 2019 levels (867k flights and 184k minutes of delay). There were an additional 14k minutes of delay originating in the Czech Republic that were re-attributed to DFS via the NM post operations delay attribution process, according to the NMB agreement for eNM/S23 measures, to ameliorate capacity shortfalls in Karlsruhe UAC.
NSA’s assessment of capacity performance
The steady growth of air traffic in the Czech airspace continued during 2023. Compared to the last year of the pre-crisis development, i.e. 2019, which also serves as a basic reference, traffic reached 74% (in IFR movements). In the long term comparison, the volume of traffic in 2023 is thus the same as in 2007. For the full year 2023, 621 496 movements were recorded in the Czech Republic’s airspace compared to 550 194 in 2022. The average daily number of movements reached 1 701. The development of the volume of traffic in Czech airspace was again different from the European average. The reason for this traffic development in the Czech Republic’s airspace is solely due to the impact of the war in Ukraine and the related shift of the main air traffic flows southwards. Sanctions on Russian and Belarusian carriers, including the closure of Ukrainian airspace, are also having the same effect. The absence of carriers from these countries represents a decrease of approximately 200 flights per day.
In 2023, 59,224 minutes of delay were recorded on ACC Prague. The average delay value per flight performed in FIR Prague was 0.10 min/year. Following the delay reattribution process, for the DFS measures applied during Summer 2023, 13.529 minutes of delay were later reattributed from ANS Czech Republic to DFS. The total number of movements (IFR at ACC by NOP) in 2023 was 619 283 (-25.66% compared to 2019 and +16.23% compared to 2022). In 2023, 12,081 minutes of delay were recorded at APP Prague. The average delay due to ATFM for the whole year 2023 was 0.09 min/year.
No capacity issue was recorded during the year 2023. The ANSP systems are well prepared for future capacity requirements.
Monitoring process for capacity performance
The monitoring process is based on quarterly monitoring repotts prepared by ANS CR. These are based on the company Annual plan and cover all KPAs.
Capacity planning
After the deployment of the new main ATM system (2022) and its stabilisation in previous periods, thanks to the continued training of new ATCOs and the gradual implementation of the ATS Optimisation project in the Czech Republic (as outlined in the Czech Performance Plan for RP3), the Czech Republic has built sufficient capacity to adhere to the required level of performance.
Application of Corrective Measures for Capacity (if applicable)
Corrective measures were introduced in 2022, in response to the capacity performance at the time. Three main actions were taken:
1. Staff usage - Full utilisation of operational staff with maximum use of overtime (up to the legal limit);
2. Optimisation project - Cross licensing and training of ATCO students on layer “L”;
3. External factors - Coordination with the Czech Air Force in order to limit the impact of their activities on civil aviation.
Additional Information Related to Russia’s War of Aggression Against Ukraine
It is difficult to distinguish the individual influences on traffic planning by air carriers, but in the Czech Republic there have been major changes in the structure of traffic, particularly on the west-east axis, where flight flows have shifted to the north and south. As a result, according to the latest STATFOR forecasts, the Czech Republic will not reach pre-COVID traffic levels before the end of RP4.
En route Capacity Incentive Scheme
ANS CR: According to the incentive scheme defined in the monitoring report, the ANSP, ANS CR, is due a bonus of 3,758,571 CZK.
In accordance with Article 3(3)(a) of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1627: The incentive scheme shall cover only the calendar years 2022 to 2024.