Summary of capacity performance
Switzerland experienced an increase in traffic from 1 092k flights in 2023 with 155k minutes of en route ATFM delay, to 1 184k flights with 549k minutes of en route ATFM delay.
There were an additional 41k minutes of delay originating in Switzerland 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
In 2024, Skyguide didn’t achieve its en-route capacity target (0.19 min/flt). Total ATFM delay per flight was 0.40 min/flt, 0.21 min/flt above the target. The delay in 2024 was mainly caused by an unexpected increase of traffic, well above 2019 levels (IFR transit flights +4% vs. 2019 in July, +7% in August, +6 % in September) and a total IFR traffic evolution reaching +2% (2024 vs. 2019). Main causes of delay were ‘Equipment (ATC)’ (33%), ‘Weather’ (30%) and ‘ATC-Capacity’ (28%).
Monitoring process for capacity performance
The monitoring for en-route capacity performance is carried out under the auspices of the FABEC Financial and Performance Committee (FPC), counterpart of the European Commission at the States side, consulting and reporting to FABEC Council as appropriate.
On a monthly basis and through the AFG/PMG (ANSP FABEC Group / Performance Management Group) the ANSPs collectively submit a report to the FPC, based on PRU available data, consolidated and analysed, on their joint progress in achieving the national target set and reference or indicative values and on the results and analysis of the en- route capacity achievement.
In case the national target set and/or the annual/reference values are threatened not to be met, AFG/PMG is asked to propose to FPC possible corrective measures which the ANSPs determine fit to react to the weaker performance at national and/or ACC level, in order to remedy the situation.
The FPC analyses the reports, assesses the actions considered by the ANSPs together with the necessity of appropriate measures to be taken by the States or the NSAs and makes an advice to the proposals, made by the AFG/PMG, to the FABEC Council for such appropriate measures, after consultation with the AFG/PMG. The potential corrective measures take into account the seriousness of the risk of not meeting the targets set and/or the annual/reference values. The FPC is also responsible for the management of the Capacity KPA financial incentive schemes. This monitoring process is described in the FABEC FPC States Performance Process description, regularly updated.
The Swiss NSA has periodical meetings with its ANSPs. - The Swiss NSA is regularly provided with various reports, analysis and data such as FABEC monthly capacity reports (including Skyguide data), Skyguide reports, PRU dahboards which enable to closely monitor the performance evolution.
Capacity planning
In 2024, Skyguide didn’t achieve its en-route ATFM delay per flight target.
IFR Transit Traffic increased by 14.4% in 2024 vs. 2023 in Geneva UAC and by 13.2% in Zurich UAC. This increase of traffic was far beyond the expected traffic increase and had a major impact on en-route ATFM delays. These levels were significantly above 2019 levels (IFR transit flights +4% vs. 2019 in July, +7% in August, +6 % in September) and a total IFR traffic evolution reaching +2% (2024 vs. 2019). Main causes of delay were ‘Equipment (ATC)’ (33%), ‘Weather’ (30%) and ‘ATC-Capacity’ (28%).
In 2024, Skyguide decided to decrease its sector capacity between March and June by 20%, then 10% for safety and resilience purpose. Once confidence in systems was regained, sectors capacity was reset to nominal values, however during the second half of the year, even though system landscape was much more stable, delays could not be recovered due to the strong increase in traffic and heavy impact of the adverse weather conditions on Skyguide en-route performance.
Application of Corrective Measures for Capacity (if applicable)
3 main factors led to observe a performance target that was not achieved:
1. the exceptional increase in traffic
2. the adverse weather conditions which represented 29% of the ATFM delay
3. the instable technical environment
Traffic increase is not in hands of the ANSP, the adverse weather conditions neither, so, the NSA recommended to work on the system resilience and robustness. System Resilience and Robustness / Switzerland - Dedicate time (i.e.: 1 year) to stabilising our technical landscape. Among others, this includes: reduction of our technical debt, reduction of the technical bugs, architectural improvements. The intention is to create a more reliable environment, through increased stability and future-proof technological landscape. - implemented in 2024.
During the ongoing calendar year, sector capacity is planned to be increased in both ACCs. A live trial should be launched to better address the adverse weather conditions and the associated sector capacity reduction: a new meteo forecast per sector should allow for taking more efficient decisions and hence, decrease delays. Through the change management process implemented in Switzerland, the NSA will be notified when the change will occur.
The NOP delay forecast for Skyguide in 2025 is 0.35 min/flt whereas the target is 0.36 min/flt. Therefore, there is no significant risk of not achieving the capacity target in 2025.
En route Capacity Incentive Scheme
Skyguide: The incentive scheme is based only on delays attributed to C,R,S,T,M & P delay codes. The CRSTMP target was set at 0.13 minutes per flight and the actual performance is reported as 0.29 minutes per flight (CRSTMP only). This results in the ANSP receiving a penalty of CHF 776 976
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.