AUC vs. DUC
In 2023, the terminal AUC was +13.9% (or +32.1 €2017) higher than the planned DUC. This results from the combination of significantly higher than planned terminal costs in real terms (+7.3%, or +1.0 M€2017) and significantly lower than planned TNSUs (-5.8%).
Terminal service units
The difference between actual and planned TNSUs (-5.8%) 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, with the ANSP (ANA) bearing a loss of -0.4 M€2017.
Terminal costs by entity
Actual real terminal costs are +7.3% (+1.0 M€2017) higher than planned. This is the result of higher costs for the main ANSP, ANA (+7.3%, or +1.0 M€2017).
Terminal costs for the main ANSP at charging zone level
Significantly higher than planned terminal costs in real terms for ANA in 2023 (+7.3%, or +1.0 M€2017) result from:
- Significantly higher staff costs (+11.3%), due to higher salaries and more employees: Luxembourg’s legal cost-of-living adjustments led to a 5.1% average salary increase in 2023. ANA’s state-employed staff received a 1.49% raise based on career progression. CNS department grew from 14 to 20 employees by year-end 2023, with an average headcount of 15.3. CERT department expanded from 12 to 19.5 FTEs, with an average headcount of 15.9, due to regulatory and workload increases;
- Significantly higher other operating costs (+17.2%), mainly due to support contracts for integrating and training new ATSEPs, expected to decrease by 2025. Additionally, there are costs for analysing ESASSP reports, which will significantly drop as trained ATSEPs take over. Training costs have also risen due to new ATSEP recruitment; and,
- Significantly lower depreciation (-25.9%), mainly due to a revised investment plan, leading to project cancellations and postponements. The two main projects delayed are the surveillance chain upgrade and the replacement of the WAN and LAN infrastructure.