KEA
Due to its geographical position, the values of KEA and the KEA corrected for the influence of the war in Ukraine are essentially the same. There has been a degradation from 2023 to 2025, with KEA moving from 1.50% in 2023 to 1.61% in 2024 to 1.71% in 2025. These values place Portugal in the top 10 performing States (in 2025, 7th for KEA and 10th for corrected KEA).
The contribution to the overall additional distance is 2.10%, making Portugal the 17th lowest.
Regarding the assessment of the achieved level of actual performance in the environment KPA, the NSA reports: “A high-level analysis indicates that the KEA indicator has been deteriorating since May 2024, reaching its peak deviation at the end of 2025, with a difference of 0.2 percentage points compared to 2024 (1.5). However, data for 2025 already shows signs of stabilization. The ambitious RP4 targets were defined considering a new cross-border free route scenario, which has proven challenging due to limited progress in cross-border interfaces with adjacent airspaces (Madrid and Brest/Bordeaux UIRs), thereby constraining the expected trajectory improvements.
Additionally, a contributing factor to this deviation may be linked to the implementation of the Point Merge system, whose impact was not fully anticipated at the time the Performance Plan was established. Nevertheless, ongoing monitoring indicates that the degradation of this indicator has stabilized. Despite the gap between the 2025 target and the actual value, Lisbon FIR continues to rank among the top 10 KEA regions within the Eurocontrol area.”
Regarding the implementation of major operational or structural changes during the calendar year impacting performance in this key performance area, the NSA reports: “Yes, a relevant operational change impacting performance in the Environment KPA was the implementation of the Point Merge system, which became operational in May 2024. This new arrival management technique aimed to improve traffic sequencing and predictability in the terminal area.
While the system contributes to operational efficiency and capacity management, its impact on flight trajectories was not fully anticipated at the time the Performance Plan was prepared. In particular, some effects on horizontal flight efficiency (KEA indicator) have been observed, contributing to the deviation from planned targets.
Nevertheless, ongoing monitoring indicates that these impacts have stabilized over time, and the system continues to support overall operational improvements in a growing traffic environment.”
Regarding progress on the implementation of the measures committed to in the ERNIP, the NSA reports: “Progress on the implementation of the measures committed to in the ERNIP has been limited, particularly for those initiatives expected to have a significant impact on KEA performance. This is mainly related to the development of cross-border free route interfaces with adjacent airspaces, namely Morocco (Agadir ACC), Spain (Madrid ACC and Canary Islands FIR), and France (Brest and Bordeaux FIR), where progress has been slower than anticipated.
At the same time, internal initiatives such as improvements to the Point Merge System project are ongoing and contribute to optimizing operations.”
Regarding the identification and analysis by the NSA of the underlying reasons or circumstances having led to the performance target not being achieved, the NSA reports: “The analysis carried out by the NSA indicates that the deviation from the performance target is mainly linked to a combination of external and operational factors. In particular, the limited progress in the implementation of cross-border Free Route Airspace interfaces with adjacent ANSPs. Additionally, certain operational changes, such as the implementation of new arrival management solution (Point Merge System), introduced effects that were not fully anticipated at the time of target setting.
These elements, combined with a high and evolving traffic demand, have contributed to the observed gap between planned and actual performance. Nevertheless, monitoring indicates that the situation has stabilized.”
Regarding recommendations to the ANSP to rectify the situation, the NSA reports: “The NSA recommends that the ANSP continues its efforts to monitor performance and implement appropriate operational improvements, with a focus on ensuring alignment with the established targets. Ongoing attention should be given to identifying and addressing relevant factors affecting performance, while maintaining effective coordination with stakeholders and supporting a continuous improvement approach.”
Regarding remedial measures that have been / will be taken by the ANSP to rectify the situation, the NSA reports: “Considering that recent monitoring indicates a stabilization in the degradation of the indicator, no specific remedial measures are foreseen at this stage. The NSA and the ANSP will continue to closely monitor performance trends to ensure that the situation remains stable and to identify any need for corrective actions, should new developments arise.”
Regarding the follow up of the remedial measures indicated in the previous monitoring report(s), the NSA reports: “Implementation of new Middle Traffic Volumes in critical sectors expected along 2026. Already finished, and recently validated by the NM, of a complete new full airspace reestructuration to better accommodate future cross-borde free-route trajectories and a better capacity management. The implementation will take place in different phases aligned with traffic increase forecast.”
KEP
Regarding initiatives implemented or planned that will improve this PI and how does the NSA intend on monitoring their effectiveness on performance, the NSA reports: “Since introducing Free Route Operations in Lisbon FIR (May 2009), NAV Portugal has consistently coordinated with neighboring regions and Eurocontrol to create cross-border free-route interfaces for our main traffic flows (Spain, France, and Morocco). While Lisbon FIR remains fully prepared for cross-border expansion, our neighbors are currently managing their own internal FRA deployment schedules. The varied pace of these internal initiatives naturally impacts the timeline for achieving a synchronized cross-border Free Route environment with Lisbon FIR.”
KES
Regarding initiatives implemented or planned that will improve this PI and how does the NSA intend on monitoring their effectiveness on performance, the NSA reports: “Since introducing Free Route Operations in Lisbon FIR (May 2009), NAV Portugal has consistently coordinated with neighboring regions and Eurocontrol to create cross-border free-route interfaces for our main traffic flows (Spain, France, and Morocco). While Lisbon FIR remains fully prepared for cross-border expansion, our neighbors are currently managing their own internal FRA deployment schedules. The varied pace of these internal initiatives naturally impacts the timeline for achieving a synchronized cross-border Free Route environment with Lisbon FIR.”
Vertical flight efficiency
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