Summary of capacity performance
The Czech Republic experienced an increase in traffic from 703k flights in 2023, to 784k flights in 2024. En route ATFM delays increased from 56k minutes of delay in 2023 to 90k minutes in 2024. Traffic levels and ATFM delays are still significantly below 2019 levels (867k flights and 184k minutes of delay). There were an additional 11k 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/S24 measures, to ameliorate capacity shortfalls in Karlsruhe UAC.
NSA’s assessment of capacity performance
The targets set in the capacity KPA were almost met. In the en route area, the Czech Republic shows a minor deviation of 0.02 min/IFR flight, while in the case of terminal services both the delay target and compliance with departure slots were met. ANS CR was convinced that the objectives of this area are being met, however, the annual monitoring identified a difference between the internal methodology and the reality (according to NM) in the allocation between the en route and terminal area. This situation did not allow for corrective measures to be taken.
Monitoring process for capacity performance
The monitoring process is based on quarterly monitoring reports 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 Airspace 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.
Unfortunatelly, the NM uses a different methodology for recording network delay, where TVs (trafic volumes) of the “Enroute” category (which includes TMA Praha) are included in the line delay. At the same time, NM has transferred part of the en route delay of ANS CR to DFS within the post-processing procedure “delay reattribution”. The resulting value of ACC Praha’s en route delay according to the NM methodology is 0.13 min/year. Thus, the capacity target of 0.02 min/year is not met from the point of view of performance planning.
Application of Corrective Measures for Capacity (if applicable)
Part of the delay is caused by neighbouring FIRs and we don’t know how much will be deducted in post-ops adjustments. Different methodology between ANS CR and NM, which allocates part of the airport delay to the en route segment. The hard-to-estimate impact of military activities.
The differential delay allocation methodology has already been resolved, the ongoing training of ATCOs and the ongoing Optimisation give the expectation of meeting the target in future years. NSA also recommends adjustments to training to accelerate the pace of operational personnel additions.
Actions already taken during RP3 to improve performance included:
- Staff Usage - full utilisation of operational staff with maximum use of overtime (up to legal limit);
- Optimisation project - Cross licensing and training of ATCO students on layer ‘L’;
- External factors - Coordination with the Czech AirForce in order to limit the ipact of their activities on civil aviation.
All remedial measures from previous years have been / are being implemented. If the traffic is consistent with the Performance plan assumption, there is sufficient capacity meet the capacity objective.
En route Capacity Incentive Scheme
ANS CR: The NSA reports that, ANS CR is liable for a financial penalty of CZK 4 188 815.14
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.