AUC vs. DUC
In 2023, the terminal AUC was +14.8% (or +29.3 €2017) higher than the planned DUC. This results from the combination of significantly lower than planned TNSUs (-18.2%) and significantly lower than planned terminal costs in real terms (-6.1%, or -17.3 M€2017). It should be noted that actual inflation index in 2023 was +14.5 p.p. higher than planned.
Terminal service units
The difference between actual and planned TNSUs (-18.2%) falls outside 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 -6.1% (-17.3 M€2017) lower than planned. This is the result of lower costs for the main ANSP, DFS (-5.8%, or -16.0 M€2017), the MET service provider (-23.3%, or -1.1 M€2017) and the NSA (-11.4%, or -0.1 M€2017).
Terminal costs for the main ANSP at charging zone level
Significantly lower than planned terminal costs in real terms for DFS in 2023 (-5.8%, or -16.0 M€2017) result from:
- Lower staff costs (-4.1%),mainly due to inflation index impact since in nominal terms staff costs are higher than planned by +8.7%, due to new wage collective agreement, compensation for the inflation and extraordinary payments for additional shifts and overtime due to staff shortages.
- Higher other operating costs (+2.8%), as a result of inflation, higher prices of gas, more external staff employed than expected and intensification of the activities of recruiting staff.
- Significantly lower depreciation (-20.8%), is mainly due to “the project Tower ATS next Generation, which is part of the Program ZAAS. Additionally, the maintenance activity ILS and the project Remote Tower Control as well as some projects and maintenance actions led to the reduction in 2023”.
- Significantly lower cost of capital (-47.2%), mainly due to the coverage gap for interest on pensions, which is recalculated annually based on differences between planned and actual interest rates. The 2023 cost of capital the exclude the income of commercial papers, which had previously been included in the actual costs of 2021 and 2022.