AUC vs. DUC
In 2023, the terminal AUC was +24.3% (or +30.52 €2017) higher than the planned DUC. This results from the combination of significantly higher than planned terminal costs in real terms (+14.5%, or +0.3 M€2017) and significantly lower than planned TNSUs (-7.9%). It should be noted that actual inflation index in 2023 was +31.3 p.p. higher than planned.
Terminal service units
The difference between actual and planned TNSUs (-7.9%) falls outside the ±2% dead band, but does not exceed the ±10% threshold foreseen in the traffic risk sharing mechanism. The resulting loss of terminal revenues is therefore shared between the ANSP and the airspace users.
Terminal costs by entity
Actual real terminal costs are +14.5% (+0.3 M€2017) higher than planned. This is the result of higher costs for the main ANSP, EANS (+14.8%, or +0.3 M€2017) and the NSA (+12.8%, or +0.04 M€2017).
Terminal costs for the main ANSP at charging zone level
Significantly higher than planned terminal costs in real terms for EANS in 2023 (+14.8%, or +0.3 M€2017) result from:
- Significantly lower staff costs (-12.5%) in real terms due to the inflation index impact (+31.3 p.p.). In nominal terms, staff costs are above the plan (+11.8%), which, based on the information provided by Estonia, is due to the fact that “higher proportion of actual costs were allocated to terminal costs” due to a significantly lower en route traffic.
- Significantly higher other operating costs (+21.1%), which, as already detailed above, is also explained by the changes in the allocation of actual costs.
- Significantly higher depreciation (+46.4%), reflecting continuation of the investment programme, including projects which had been postponed in previous years.
- Significantly higher cost of capital (+20.3%) reflecting a combination of higher than planned interest rate on debt and higher proportion of financing through equity.