Article 1 Subject matter and scope
1. This Regulation lays down rules for the creation and effective functioning of the Single European Sky in order to reinforce air traffic safety standards, to contribute to the sustainable development of the air transport system and to improve the overall performance of air traffic management and air navigation services for general air traffic in Europe, with a view to meeting the requirements of all airspace users. The Single European Sky shall comprise a coherent pan-European network, a progressively more integrated airspace, network management and air traffic management systems based on safety, efficiency, interoperability and technological modernisation, for the benefit of all airspace users, citizens and the environment. 2. The application of this Regulation is without prejudice to Member States’ sovereignty over their airspace and to the requirements of the Member States relating to public order, public security and defence matters, as set out in Article 55. This Regulation does not cover military operations and training. The coordination with military authorities shall be ensured to identify and address potential impacts of the application of this Regulation on military activities. 3. The application of this Regulation is without prejudice to the rights and duties of Member States under the 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation (the Chicago Convention). In that context, this Regulation aims to assist, in the fields it covers, Member States to fulfil their obligations under the Chicago Convention by providing a basis for a common interpretation and uniform implementation of its provisions, and by ensuring that those provisions are duly taken into account in this Regulation and in the rules drawn up for its implementation. 4. This Regulation shall apply to the airspace within the ICAO EUR region where Member States are responsible for the provision of air traffic services. Member States may also apply this Regulation to airspace under their responsibility within other ICAO regions, on the condition that they inform the Commission and the other Member States thereof.
Article 2 Definitions
For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions shall apply: (1) ‘aerodrome control service’ means an air traffic control (ATC) service for aerodrome traffic; (2) ‘aeronautical information service’ or ‘AIS’ means a service, established within a defined area of coverage, responsible for the provision of aeronautical information and data necessary for the safety, regularity, and efficiency of air navigation; (3) ‘Agency’ means the European Union Aviation Safety Agency established by Regulation (EU) 2018/1139; (4) ‘air navigation service provider’ means a public or private entity providing one or more air navigation services for general air traffic; (5) ‘air navigation services’ or ‘ANS’ means air traffic services; communication, navigation and surveillance services (CNS) including services which augment signals emitted by satellites of core constellations of GNSS for the purpose of air navigation; meteorological services for air navigation (MET); aeronautical information services (AIS); and air traffic data services (ADS); (6) ‘air traffic control service’ or ‘ATC service’ means a service provided for the purpose of: (a) preventing collisions: (i) between aircraft; (ii) in the manoeuvring area between aircraft and obstructions; (b) expediting and maintaining an orderly flow of air traffic; (7) ‘air traffic data services’ or ‘ADS’ means services consisting in the collection, aggregation and integration of operational data from providers of surveillance services, from providers of MET and AIS and network functions and from other relevant entities generating operational data, and the provision of processed data for air traffic control and air traffic management purposes; (8) ‘air traffic flow management’ or ‘ATFM’ means a function established with the objective of contributing to a safe, orderly and expeditious flow of air traffic covering the full trajectory by ensuring that ATC capacity is utilised to the maximum extent possible, and that the traffic volume is compatible with the capacities declared by the appropriate air traffic service providers; (9) ‘air traffic management’ or ‘ATM’ means the aggregation of the airborne and ground-based functions and services, namely air traffic services, airspace management and air traffic flow management, including flight procedures design, required to ensure the safe and efficient movement of aircraft during all phases of operations; (10) ‘air traffic services’ means the various flight information services, alerting services and air traffic advisory services, as well as ATC services, namely area, approach and aerodrome control services; (11) ‘airspace block’ means an airspace of defined dimensions, in space and time, consisting of one or more airspace structures, within which air navigation services are provided; (12) ‘airspace management’ means a planning and monitoring function with the primary objective of optimising the utilisation of available airspace by dynamic time-sharing and, at times, the segregation of airspace among various categories of airspace users on the basis of short-term needs; (13) ‘airspace structure’ means a specific volume of airspace defined with a view to ensuring the safe and optimal operation of aircraft; (14) ‘airspace users’ means operators of aircraft operated in accordance with general air traffic rules; (15) ‘alerting service’ means a service provided to notify relevant organisations regarding aircraft in need of search and rescue aid, and to assist such organisations as required; (16) ‘approach control service’ means an ATC service for arriving or departing controlled flights; (17) ‘area control service’ means an ATC service for controlled flights in control areas; (18) ‘baseline value’ means a value defined for the purpose of setting performance targets and estimated by using actual costs or actual unit costs during the year preceding the start of the relevant reference period; (19) ‘benchmark group’ means a group of air traffic service providers with a similar operational and economic environment; (20) ‘breakdown value’ means the value obtained, for a given air traffic service provider, by breaking down a Union-wide performance target to the level of one or more air traffic service providers and serving as a reference for assessing consistency of the performance target set in the draft performance plan with the Union-wide performance target; (21) ‘certificate’ means a ‘certificate’ as defined in Article 3, point (12), of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139; (22) ‘common information service’ or ‘CIS’ means a service consisting in the dissemination of static and dynamic data to enable the provision of U-space services for the management of traffic of unmanned aircraft; (23) ‘U-space airspace’ means a UAS geographical zone designated by Member States, where UAS operations are only allowed to take place with the support of U-space services; (24) ‘U-space service’ means a service relying on digital services and automation of functions designed to support safe, efficient and secure access to U-space airspace for a large number of UAS; (25) ‘U-space service provider’ means any legal person providing U-space services; (26) ‘communication services’ means aeronautical fixed and mobile services to enable ground-to-ground, air-to-ground and air-to-air communications for ATC purposes; (27) ‘constituents’ means tangible objects, such as hardware, and intangible objects, such as software, upon which the interoperability of the European air traffic management network (EATMN) depends; (28) ‘control area’ means a controlled airspace extending upwards from a specified limit above the earth; (29) ‘cooperative decision-making’ means a process in which decisions are made based on interaction and consultation with the relevant Member State authorities, operational stakeholders and other actors, as appropriate, and aiming to achieve consensus; (30) ‘cross-border services’ means air navigation services provided in one Member State by a service provider having its principal place of business in another Member State; (31) ‘declaration’ means, for the purposes of air traffic management and air navigation services, a ‘declaration’ as defined in Article 3, point (10), of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139; (32) ‘design of airspace structures’ means a process that ensures the development and implementation of advanced navigational capabilities and techniques, improved route networks and associated sectorisation, optimised airspace structures and capacity-enhancing ATM procedures; (33) ‘en route charging zone’ means a volume of airspace that extends from the ground up to, and including, upper airspace, where en route air navigation services are provided and for which a single cost base is established; (34) ‘Eurocontrol’ is the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation set up by the International Convention of 13 December 1960 relating to Cooperation for the Safety of Air Navigation; (35) ‘European air traffic management network’ (EATMN) means the collection of systems, referred to in point 3.1 of Annex VIII to Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, enabling air navigation services in the Union to be provided, including the interfaces at boundaries with third countries; (36) ‘European ATM Master Plan’ means the plan endorsed by Council Decision 2009/320/EC ( 18 ) , as subsequently amended; (37) ‘flexible use of airspace’ means an airspace management concept, as described by ICAO, based on the fundamental principle that airspace should not be designated as either pure civil or military airspace, but should rather be considered as a continuum in which all user requirements have to be accommodated to the extent possible; (38) ‘flight information service’ means a service provided for the purpose of giving advice and information useful for the safe and efficient conduct of flights; (39) ‘flight procedures design’ means all tasks relevant to the design of an instrument flight procedure; (40) ‘general air traffic’ means all movements of civil aircraft, as well as all movements of state aircraft (including military, customs and police aircraft) when those movements are carried out in conformity with the procedures of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) as established by the Chicago Convention; (41) ‘Instrument flight rules’ or ‘IFR’ are rules which allow an aircraft which is equipped with suitable navigation equipment appropriate to the route to be flown in accordance with the applicable requirements on air operations; (42) ‘IFR air transport movements per year’ means the sum of take-offs and landings performed under IFR, calculated as the yearly average over the three calendar years preceding the year in which the draft performance plan is to be submitted; (43) ‘interoperability’ means a set of functional, technical and operational properties required of the systems and constituents of the EATMN and of the procedures for its operation, in order to enable its safe, seamless and efficient operation; (44) ‘meteorological services for air navigation’ or ‘MET’ means the facilities and services that provide meteorological forecasts, warnings, briefings and observations for air navigation purposes, as well as any other meteorological information and data provided by States for aeronautical use; (45) ‘national competent authority’ means a national competent authority as defined in Article 3, point (34), of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139; (46) ‘national supervisory authority’ means the national body or bodies entrusted by a Member State with the tasks under this Regulation; (47) ‘navigation services’ means the facilities and services that provide aircraft with positioning and timing information; (48) ‘network crisis’ means a state of inability to provide air traffic management or air navigation services at the required level, resulting in a major loss of network capacity; a major imbalance between network capacity and demand; or a major failure in the information flow in, or in the integrity of, one or several parts of the network following an unusual or unforeseen situation; (49) ‘Network Manager’ means the entity entrusted with the tasks necessary to contribute to the execution, in accordance with Article 38, of the network functions referred to in Article 37; (50) ‘Network Operations Plan’ or ‘NOP’ means a plan established through cooperative decision-making process to implement at operational level the objectives of the network functions, and to contribute to performance objectives; (51) ‘Network Strategy Plan’ or ‘NSP’ means a plan established through cooperative decision-making process guiding the network’s long-term development; (52) ‘operational air traffic’ means all flights, which do not comply with the provisions stated for general air traffic and for which rules and procedures have been specified by appropriate national authorities; (53) ‘operational data’ means information concerning all phases of flight that is required for operational purposes by air navigation service providers, airspace users, airport operators and other actors involved; (54) ‘operational stakeholders’ means the civil and military airspace users, civil and military air navigation service providers and airport operators; (55) ‘performance plan’ means a plan aimed at improving the performance of air navigation services and network functions; (56) ‘putting into service’ means the first operational use after the initial installation or upgrade of a system; (57) ‘route network’ means a network of specified routes for channelling the flow of general air traffic as necessary for the provision of ATC services; (58) ‘SESAR definition phase’ means the phase comprising the establishment and updating of the long-term vision of the SESAR project, of the related concept of operations enabling improvements at every stage of flight, of the required essential operational changes within the EATMN and of the required development and deployment priorities; (59) ‘SESAR deployment phase’ means the successive phases of industrialisation and implementation, during which the following activities are conducted: standardisation, production and certification of ground and airborne equipment and processes necessary to implement SESAR solutions (industrialisation); and procurement, installation and putting into service of equipment and systems based on SESAR solutions, including associated operational procedures (implementation); (60) ‘SESAR development phase’ means the phase during which research, development and validation activities aiming to deliver mature SESAR solutions are conducted; (61) ‘SESAR project’ means the project to modernise air traffic management in Europe, aimed at providing the Union with a high performance, standardised and interoperable air traffic management infrastructure, and consisting in an innovation cycle that includes the SESAR definition phase, the SESAR development phase and the SESAR deployment phase; (62) ‘SESAR solution’ means a deployable output of the SESAR development phase introducing new or improved standardised and interoperable operational procedures or technologies; (63) ‘surveillance services’ means the facilities and services used to determine the respective positions of aircraft to allow safe separation; (64) ‘system’ means the aggregation of airborne and ground-based constituents, as well as space-based equipment, that provides support for air navigation services for all phases of flight; (65) ‘terminal charging zone’ means an airport or a group of airports located within the territories of a Member State or Member States, where terminal air navigation services are provided and for which a single cost base is established; (66) ‘upgrade’ means any modification that changes the operational characteristics of a system; (67) ‘utilisation of airspace structures’ means the way that airspace structures are operationally used, which is to be understood as different from airspace management as defined in point 12.
Article 3 Functional airspace blocks
Member States may maintain the cooperation and coordination within the airspace of functional airspace blocks formerly established under Article 9a of Regulation (EC) No 550/2004 with the view to fostering the performance of the air traffic management network within the Single European Sky, in particular by submitting joint performance plans in accordance with Article 23(7) of this Regulation, provided that this does not affect the efficient implementation of this Regulation and that costs related to functional airspace blocks are reported separately, as part of the data to be provided under the charging scheme set out in Articles 29 to 36 of this Regulation.
Article 4 Nomination, establishment and requirements regarding national supervisory authorities
1. Member States shall, jointly or individually, nominate or establish a body or bodies as their national supervisory authority to assume the tasks assigned to such an authority by this Regulation. 2. The national supervisory authority shall exercise its powers impartially, independently and transparently and shall be organised, staffed, managed and financed accordingly. 3. Without prejudice to paragraph 1, national supervisory authorities shall be independent from any air navigation service providers, in organisational, hierarchical and decision-making terms, and shall be either legally or functionally distinct from air navigation service providers. In addition, air navigation service providers shall have no decision-making power over the allocation of the budgets of national supervisory authorities. Provided that such independence is guaranteed, a national supervisory authority may be part of the same national ministry or administration as an air navigation service provider. 4. Where a national supervisory authority is not legally distinct from an air navigation service provider, the Member State concerned shall inform the Commission on the measures it has taken to ensure that the national supervisory authority meets the requirements of paragraph 3 and shall document how its independence is achieved, showing the effectiveness of such independence. To this end, where the national supervisory authority and the air navigation service provider are part of the same administration, the national supervisory authority shall not seek or take instructions from a hierarchical level of that administration having authority over the air navigation service provider, in so far as their tasks under Article 5 and related decisions are concerned. 5. A national supervisory authority may be joined with another regulatory authority, such as a national competent authority or national competition authority as referred to in Article 11 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 ( 19 ) , provided that the decisions related to the tasks conferred on the national supervisory authority under this Regulation are taken independently from other tasks conferred on the joint authority. In that case, the joint authority shall fulfil the independence requirements set out in this Article. The national supervisory authority shall be represented in matters related to the tasks set out in Article 5 of this Regulation in a manner that ensures the independence of its decisions. 6. Without prejudice to national law regarding the recruitment of public servants, Member States shall ensure that the staff of their national supervisory authorities, including temporary staff, is recruited through clear and transparent recruitment processes, which ensures their independence and shall ensure that the staff of national supervisory authorities is selected on the basis of specific qualifications, including appropriate competence and relevant experience, or is subject to appropriate training, for the effective performance of the tasks set out in Article 5. Member States shall lay down rules to avoid conflicts of interest for staff, including persons who take decisions exercising the powers set out in Chapter III of this Regulation, so that the national supervisory authorities can carry out the tasks set out in Article 5 independently. 7. Without prejudice to Article 30(3), Member States shall ensure that national supervisory authorities have the necessary financial resources and capabilities to carry out the tasks set out in Article 5 in an efficient and timely manner. 8. Member States shall notify the Commission of the names and addresses of their national supervisory authorities, and of changes thereto, and of the measures taken to ensure compliance with this Article.
Article 5 Tasks of the national supervisory authorities
1. A national supervisory authority shall carry out the tasks assigned to it under this Regulation and under Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 and the implementing acts adopted on the basis thereof. In particular, a national supervisory authority shall: (a) assess and oversee the fulfilment of requirements regarding financial robustness, liability, insurance cover, ownership and organisational structure referred to in point 7 of Annex VIII to Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 and of the requirements set out in the implementing acts referred to in Article 43 of that Regulation; (b) verify compliance with, and the fulfilment of national security and defence requirements by the service providers referred to in Article 8(2), point (b) and Article 11(6), point (d), unless this task is assigned to another authority by the Member State; where a Member State decides to assign this task to another authority, it shall inform the Commission; (c) without prejudice to Directive 2014/25/EU and Directive 2014/24/EU, contribute when relevant and as appropriate to the correct application of procurement requirements in accordance with Article 11 of this Regulation; (d) assess and approve price setting for the provision of CIS, in accordance with Article 12; (e) implement and monitor the performance and charging schemes in accordance with and within the limits of their tasks under Articles 21 to 27 and 29 to 32 and with the implementing acts referred to in Articles 28 and 33; (f) oversee the application of this Regulation with regard to the transparency of the accounts of air navigation service providers in accordance with Article 36. For the purposes of point (a), a Member State may decide to attribute the assessment and oversight of the compliance by the air navigation service provider with the requirements set out in that point to its national competent authority and, in such a case, shall ensure that that national competent authority disposes of sufficient resources and expertise to execute those tasks and shall inform the Commission thereof; 2. Each national supervisory authority shall, in cooperation with the national competent authority, and without prejudice to Article 4(5), conduct the necessary monitoring activities, including, as appropriate, inspections and audits, to identify possible non-compliance by entities subject to its oversight under this Regulation with the requirements set out in this Regulation and the implementing acts adopted on the basis thereof. Without prejudice to Article 5(1), second subparagraph, of this Regulation, the national supervisory authority shall provide the national competent authority with its assessment of the compliance by the air navigation service provider with the requirements listed in point 7 of Annex VIII to Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 regarding financial robustness, liability, insurance cover, ownership and organisational structure. That assessment shall, where appropriate, include a recommendation for amending, limiting, suspending or revoking the certificate pursuant to Article 41 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139. In the event of non-compliance by entities subject to their oversight under this Regulation with other requirements set out in this Regulation, the national supervisory authority shall enforce the necessary corrective measures. The air navigation service providers, airport operators and the CIS providers concerned shall comply with any enforcement measures taken by the national supervisory authorities in that context. 3. Member States shall ensure that the decisions taken by national supervisory authorities pursuant to this Article are subject to the right of appeal, in accordance with national legislation.
Article 6 Cooperation between national supervisory authorities
1. The national supervisory authorities shall exchange, in the framework of the National Supervisory Authorities Cooperation Board referred to in Article 18, information relevant for other national supervisory authorities, in particular information relating to their work and decision-making process, best practices and procedures in the application of this Regulation. 2. The national supervisory authorities shall cooperate, where appropriate, through working arrangements, for the purposes of mutual assistance in their tasks laid down in Article 5 and the handling of investigations and surveys. 3. In the case of cross-border provision of air navigation services in airspaces falling under the responsibility of two or more Member States, the Member States concerned shall ensure that the necessary agreements for the supervision of those services are concluded. The national supervisory authorities concerned shall facilitate the provision of those cross-border services by air navigation service providers and may establish appropriate working arrangements or oversight plans specifying the implementation of their cooperation. 4. In the case of cross-border provision of air navigation services in an airspace falling under the responsibility of another Member State, the agreements referred to in paragraph 3 shall provide for the mutual recognition of the discharge, by each of the Member States or their authorities, of the tasks set out in this Regulation and of the results of the discharge of these tasks. They shall also specify which national supervisory authority shall be in charge of the tasks set out in Article 5(1). 5. Where permitted by national law and with a view to regional cooperation, national supervisory authorities may also conclude agreements on the division of responsibilities regarding the supervisory tasks. 6. Agreements referred to in this Article shall be notified by the Member States concerned to the Commission.
Article 7 Provision of services by air navigation service providers
1. Without prejudice to Articles 8, 10 and 11(6) of this Regulation, an entity that complies with the requirements set out in Articles 40 and 41 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 and in the implementing and delegated acts referred to in Articles 43 and 47 respectively of that Regulation shall be entitled to provide within the Union air navigation services for airspace users, under non-discriminatory conditions. 2. Without prejudice to the national arrangements resulting from Article 4(5) and to Article 5(1), second subparagraph, of this Regulation, the national supervisory authorities of the Member State whose national competent authority is responsible for the certification referred to in Article 41 of Regulation 2018/1139, pursuant to Article 62 of that Regulation, shall be responsible for the tasks set out in this Article in respect of assessing compliance with the essential requirements regarding financial robustness, liability, insurance cover, ownership and organisational structure listed in point 7 of Annex VIII to Regulation (EU) 2018/1139. 3. Without prejudice to the national arrangements resulting from Article 4(5) and to Article 5(1), second subparagraph, of this Regulation, with a view to establishing whether an entity complies with the essential requirements regarding financial robustness, liability, insurance cover, ownership and organisational structure listed in point 7 of Annex VIII to Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 and with the requirements set out in the implementing acts referred to in Article 43 of that Regulation, national supervisory authorities shall: (a) assess the compliance of applicants for certification, in accordance with Article 41(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, with the essential requirements regarding financial robustness, liability, insurance cover, ownership and organisational structure listed in point 7 of Annex VIII of that Regulation and with the requirements set out in the implementing acts referred to in Article 43 of that Regulation and provide its assessment to the competent authority referred to in Article 62 of that Regulation; (b) pursuant to Article 5(2) of this Regulation, perform the oversight of holders of a certificate issued in accordance with Article 41 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, with respect to the compliance with the essential requirements regarding financial robustness, liability, insurance cover, ownership and organisational structure listed in point 7 of Annex VIII to that Regulation and with the requirements set out in the implementing acts referred to in Article 43 of that Regulation. 4. Notwithstanding paragraph 1 of this Article and subject to the conditions set out in Article 2(5) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, Member States may allow the provision of air navigation services referred to in Article 2(3), point (c), of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 in all or part of the airspace under their responsibility by the military without certification where the military offers such services primarily to aircraft movements other than general air traffic. In such cases, the Member State concerned shall inform the Commission and the other Member States of its decision.
Article 8 Designation of air traffic service providers
1. Member States shall ensure the provision of air traffic services on an exclusive basis within specific airspace blocks in respect of the airspace under their responsibility. For this purpose, Member States shall individually or collectively, designate one or more air traffic service providers. Member States shall have discretionary powers in designating air traffic service providers on condition that such air traffic service providers fulfil the requirements laid down in this Article without prejudice to Article 11(3). 2. Air traffic service providers shall fulfil the following cumulative conditions: (a) hold a certificate pursuant to Article 41 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 or a valid declaration pursuant to Article 41(5) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, without prejudice to Article 7(4) of this Regulation; (b) comply with the national security and defence requirements; (c) have their principal place of business located in the territory of a Member State; and (d) be owned more than 50 % by Member States or nationals of Member States and effectively controlled by them, whether directly or indirectly through one or more intermediate undertakings, except where otherwise provided for in an agreement with a third country to which the Union is a party. By way of derogation from points (c) and (d), a Member State may designate an air traffic service provider having its principal place of business in a third country or which does not comply with the ownership and control conditions set out in point (d) to provide air traffic services in a limited part of the airspace for which that Member State is responsible where that part of the airspace borders airspace under the responsibility of that third country. 3. The designation of an air traffic service provider shall not be subject to any condition requiring that provider to: (a) be owned directly or through a majority holding by the designating Member State or its nationals; (b) have its principal place of operation or registered office in the territory of the designating Member State; or (c) use only facilities in the designating Member State, where the application of such condition entails a restriction of the freedom to provide services or the freedom of establishment which is not justified in the light of a legitimate objective of general interest, such as public policy, public security or safety, and is not proportionate to that objective. 4. Where relevant, Member States shall specify the rights and obligations to be met by the air traffic service providers designated in accordance with this Article. Those obligations may include conditions for the timely supply of relevant information enabling all aircraft movements to be identified in the airspace under their responsibility. 5. Member States shall assess the rights and obligations referred to in paragraph 4 and compliance with the obligations stemming from this Regulation and from Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 periodically, or whenever they identify relevant changes in the provision of the services, and, if deemed necessary, shall take appropriate decisions regarding the designation of the air traffic service providers concerned, without prejudice to service continuity. 6. Member States shall inform the Commission and other Member States without delay of any decision taken on the basis of this Article regarding the designation of an air traffic service provider within specific airspace blocks in respect of the airspace under their responsibility.
Article 9 Relations between air navigation service providers
1. Without prejudice to Article 7(4) of this Regulation, air navigation service providers may avail themselves of the services of other service providers that are certified or that declared their capability in accordance with Article 41 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139. Such cooperation shall be made in accordance with Article 11 of this Regulation where applicable. For air traffic service providers designated in accordance with Article 8 and MET providers designated in accordance with Article 10, such cooperation shall be subject to the authorisation of the Member States concerned. 2. For the purpose of paragraph 1, air navigation service providers shall formalise their working relationships by means of written agreements or equivalent legal arrangements, setting out the specific duties, including any financial settlements applicable, and the functions assumed by each provider. Those agreements or arrangements shall be notified to the national supervisory authority and the national competent authority concerned.
Article 10 Designation of MET providers
1. Member States may designate, individually or collectively, a MET provider on an exclusive basis in all or part of the airspace under their responsibility, taking into account safety considerations. 2. Member States shall inform the Commission and other Member States without delay of any decision taken on the basis of this Article.
Article 11 Conditions regarding the provision of CNS, AIS, ADS, MET and of air traffic services for approach and aerodrome control
1. Without prejudice to Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 20 ) and Directive 2014/25/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 21 ) , where applicable, designated air traffic service providers may decide to procure CNS, AIS or ADS, or MET services in cases where Member States have not designated a MET provider in accordance with Article 10, under market conditions, including by means of public procurements, or other forms of agreements in cases those Directives do not apply, taking into account specific situations such as lack of solutions available on the market and considerations relating to the public interest. 2. Member States may allow airport operators or a group of airport operators to procure air traffic services for aerodrome control and/or air traffic services for approach control under market conditions. To this end, Member States may require from the airport operators a proper justification that this will enable quality of service gains to be made for the benefit of airspace users, while maintaining the required level of safety. 3. Where the procurement referred to in paragraph 2 is allowed, the relevant airport operator or a group of airport operators shall ensure that the technical requirements in the tender specifications include requirements on service quality. Member States shall designate the service provider selected as a result of the procurement referred to in this paragraph. 4. Where air navigation services are procured under market conditions, procurement procedures for the provision of air navigation services shall be carried out in accordance with the principles of equal treatment, non-discrimination and transparency as well as of the applicable provisions of the Treaty and in accordance with Directives 2014/24/EU and 2014/25/EU, where applicable. 5. Member States shall take all necessary measures to ensure that the provision of en route air traffic services respects the requirement concerning the separation of accounts referred to in Article 36(3). In addition, where the air navigation service provider intends to participate in procurement procedures for the provision of air navigation services in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2, the relevant Member State shall take appropriate measures to avoid cross-subsidisation with other air navigation services. 6. A provider of CNS, AIS, ADS, MET or air traffic services for aerodrome control or for approach control may only be selected and, if appropriate, designated to provide services in a Member State as a result of a procurement pursuant to paragraphs 1, 2 or 3, on the condition that it complies with the following cumulative conditions: (a) holds a certificate pursuant to Article 41 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 or a valid declaration pursuant to Article 41(5) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, without prejudice to Article 7(4) of this Regulation; (b) has its principal place of business located in the territory of a Member State; (c) be more than 50 % owned by Member States or nationals of Member States and effectively controlled by them, whether directly or indirectly through one or more intermediate undertakings, except as provided for in an agreement with a third country to which the Union is a party; and (d) complies with national security and defence requirements. By way of derogation from this paragraph, a provider of global satellite services that was granted a certificate pursuant to Article 41 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 to provide services within the Union prior to the entry into force of this Regulation may be selected to provide services in the Union even if it does not comply with the conditions set out in points (b) and (c). 7. Articles 23, 24, 25 and 27 and the implementing rules relating to those Articles referred to in Article 28 shall not apply to the air traffic service providers designated as a result of a procurement procedure conducted in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article. The air traffic service providers concerned shall provide data on the performance of air navigation services in the key performance areas referred to in Article 21(3), point (a) and in safety area to the national supervisory authority. The national supervisory authority shall provide this information to the Commission without delay. 8. Without prejudice to Directive 2014/25/EU or 2014/24/EU, the first time that an air traffic service for approach or aerodrome control is procured at a given airport in accordance with paragraph 2 of this Article, and when essential conditions would require a change of tender specifications, Member States shall ensure the verification of the technical requirements on service quality included in the tender specifications for the specific service concerned.
Article 12 Provision of common information services
1. Where CIS are provided, the data disseminated shall present the integrity and quality necessary to enable the safe and secure provision of services for the management of traffic of unmanned aircraft in a way that enables the shared use of the airspace together with manned aircraft. 2. The CIS provider shall fulfil the following cumulative requirements: (a) comply with the national security and defence requirements; (b) have its principal place of business located in the territory of a Member State; and (c) be more than 50 % owned by Member States or nationals of Member States and effectively controlled by them, whether directly or indirectly through one or more intermediate undertakings, except where otherwise provided for in an agreement with a third country to which the Union is a party. 3. Where CIS are provided by a single CIS provider designated by the Member State in respect of a specific U-space airspace, the price for these services shall be based on the fixed and variable costs of providing the service concerned and may, in addition, include a mark-up reflecting an appropriate risk-return trade-off. Where CIS are not provided by a single CIS provider, the individual CIS shall be provided for free. 4. The costs on the basis of which the price for CIS is set shall be set out in an account separate from the accounts for any other activities of the service provider concerned and shall be accessible by the national supervisory authority concerned. Those costs shall be made publicly available without prejudice to Article 52(3). 5. The price set by the CIS provider shall be subject to assessment and approval by the national supervisory authority concerned. The price of such services shall be made publicly available. 6. Data necessary for the operation of unmanned aircraft in the U-Space airspace shall be made available on a non-discriminatory basis, without prejudice to national security, public order and defence policy interests, by air navigation service providers. CIS providers and U-Space service providers shall use those data only for operational purposes of the services they provide. Prices for access to such data shall be based on the additional costs of making the data available and the cost for generating the data, where the latter costs are not covered under Article 30 and unless other financial resources are used by Member States to cover such costs.
Article 13 Establishment and role of the Performance Review Board
1. An independent and impartial advisory Performance Review Board (PRB) is hereby established. The PRB shall be represented by its chair and supported by a secretariat. 2. The role of the PRB shall be to assist the Commission to carry out the tasks of the Commission related to the detailed functioning of the performance and charging schemes laid down in Articles 21 to 27 and in Articles 29 to 32, respectively, as well as under Article 34, and in the implementing acts referred to in Articles 28 and 33. For this purpose, the PRB shall provide opinions, recommendations, guidance material and reports to the Commission, in line with the priorities defined by the Commission. 3. The PRB shall issue guidance material to support national supervisory authorities, and, upon request, assist those authorities for the implementation of the performance and charging schemes. 4. The opinions, recommendations, reports and guidance material adopted or provided by the PRB shall not be binding. The PRB shall have a purely advisory role. It shall have no regulatory function or other decision-making power except for the adoption of its opinions, recommendations, guidance material and reports.
Article 14 Composition of the PRB
1. The PRB shall be composed of seven members, including its chair. Members of the PRB shall be Union nationals or nationals of third countries with which the Union has concluded an agreement under which those countries apply the relevant rules of Union law in the field of air traffic management and the performance and charging schemes. The non-renewable term of office of PRB members shall be 5 years. 2. The members of the PRB, including the Chair, shall be appointed on the basis of merit and of skills and experience relevant to air traffic management, air navigation services or the economic regulation of network industries, in accordance with the selection and eligibility criteria defined in the implementing act adopted in accordance with Article 20. The appointment process for such members shall ensure a balanced representation of competence and expertise as well as of gender and geographical origin. 3. The Commission shall, following a public call for expression of interest, establish the list of candidates to be members, and the Chair, of the PRB who comply with the conditions set out in paragraph 2. The members and the Chair of the PRB shall be appointed by the Commission from that list, after consulting the Member States and following a selection procedure established on the basis of Article 20. 4. The Commission may establish a reserve list on the basis of the list referred to in paragraph 3, first subparagraph. A member who is no longer capable of contributing effectively to the work of the PRB, who resigns or who no longer complies with the conditions set out in this Article shall be replaced by a person from the reserve list, appointed in accordance with the procedure referred to in paragraph 3, second subparagraph, for the remainder of the term of office of that member. 5. The Commission shall inform the Member States of the results of the calls for applications and of the lists referred to in paragraphs 3 and 4.
Article 15 Independence of the PRB
1. Without prejudice to Article 16(6), Members of the PRB shall not seek or take instructions from any government, institution, person or body. The PRB shall be fully independent when adopting its opinions, recommendations, reports and guidance materials. 2. Members of the PRB shall be impartial and act independently of any external influence and in the public interest. For this purpose, they shall demonstrate independence and absence of conflicts of interest and shall be subject to the obligation of professional secrecy, in accordance with the rules laid down in the implementing act adopted in accordance with Article 20.
Article 16 Procedures and functioning of the PRB
1. The PRB shall decide by a simple majority of its members, while aiming to achieve consensus. Each member, including the chair, shall have one vote. 2. The PRB shall adopt its own rules of procedure and set up its working arrangements, in line with the Commission’s internal rules for expert groups. 3. The Commission may attend, without the right to vote, the meetings of the PRB, with the exception of the final deliberations of the PRB for the adoption of its opinions, recommendations, reports and guidance material. The relevant stakeholders referred to in Article 49(3) may be invited, without the right to vote, to the meetings of the PRB, with the exception of the final deliberations of the PRB for the adoption of its opinions, recommendations, reports and guidance material, on an ad hoc basis. 4. The PRB shall work on the basis of an annual work programme established by the PRB in line with the Commission’s priorities. That work programme shall fully respect the role of the PRB laid out in Article 13(2) and include all activities, within the available budget, necessary to assist the Commission in respect to the tasks of the Commission referred to in Article 13(2), including in order to allow the Commission to respect the required timeframes to implement its tasks. The PRB shall adopt the work programme after consulting the Commission. The PRB shall provide an annual report for publication by the Commission. The annual work programme and the annual report shall be provided by the Commission to the Member States. The annual report shall cover all activities of the PRB and contain information on the costs of the PRB. 5. The Commission shall grant access to the PRB to all relevant information for the execution of its advisory role. 6. The Commission shall monitor the functioning of the PRB and its compliance with this Regulation and regularly inform the Member States on the progress of PRB work.
Article 17 Secretariat of the PRB
1. The Commission shall provide the secretariat of the PRB, including the necessary analytical, administrative and technical support, taking into account the needs indicated by the PRB. 2. The main task of the secretariat shall be to contribute to the independent execution of the tasks of the PRB. For the purpose of preparing the content and orientations of the opinions, recommendations, reports and guidance material of the PRB, the secretariat shall provide its support to the PRB without taking any directives except from the PRB in order to enable it to fulfil its role. The secretariat shall be adequately resourced for the performance of its tasks.
Article 18 National Supervisory Authorities Cooperation Board
1. The National Supervisory Authorities Cooperation Board is hereby established. 2. The National Supervisory Authorities Cooperation Board shall: (a) exchange information about the work of national supervisory authorities and decision-making principles, best practices and procedures with regard to the implementation of the Regulation; (b) provide recommendations to the PRB on the guidance material and reports to be issued by it; (c) provide recommendations to the PRB for complementary items in the annual work programme of the PRB. 3. The National Supervisory Authorities Cooperation Board shall be composed of a representative and an alternate from the national supervisory authority of each Member State, both of whom shall be nominated by the national supervisory authority. The National Supervisory Authorities Cooperation Board shall elect a Chairperson and a Deputy-Chairperson from among its members. The National Supervisory Authorities Cooperation Board shall adopt its decisions by simple majority of its members. The Commission may attend the meetings of the National Supervisory Authorities Cooperation Board, without voting rights. The PRB may be invited to those meetings, on an ad hoc basis, without voting rights. Third countries may be invited to those meetings, on an ad hoc basis, without voting rights subject to the consensual agreement of the members of the National Supervisory Authorities Cooperation Board. 4. The Secretariat referred to in Article 17 shall provide the necessary administrative and technical support to the National Supervisory Authorities Cooperation Board.
Article 19 Financing of the PRB
The costs related to the Performance Review Board, the secretariat and the National Supervisory Authorities Cooperation Board shall be financed from the budget of the Union.
Article 20 Implementing acts on the PRB
The Commission shall adopt implementing acts laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Articles 13 to 19, including on: (a) the tasks and the functioning of the PRB; (b) the selection procedure of the members of the PRB, including the Chair; (c) rules preventing conflicts of interest and preserving the independence of the PRB. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 48(2).
Article 21 Performance scheme
1. To improve the performance of air navigation services and network management in the Single European Sky, a performance scheme for air navigation services and network management shall apply in accordance with this Article and Articles 22 to 28. 2. This Article and Articles 22 to 28 shall not apply to terminal air navigation services provided at airports, located in the territory of the Member States to which the Treaty applies, with less than 80 000 IFR air transport movements per year. However, a Member State may decide that such terminal air navigation services are subject to those Articles. 3. The performance scheme shall be implemented over reference periods, which shall be a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 5 years. The performance scheme shall include: (a) key performance areas of climate and environment, capacity and cost-efficiency; (b) Union-wide performance targets for en route air navigation services in the key performance areas mentioned in point (a) for each reference period; (c) performance plans including, for each reference period: (i) binding performance targets and where applicable, incentive schemes, for en route air navigation services, in the key performance areas mentioned in point (a); (ii) binding performance targets and where applicable, incentive schemes, for terminal air navigation services in the key performance areas of cost-efficiency and capacity; and (iii) where the Commission has adopted an implementing act setting key performance indicators for terminal air navigation services in the key performance area of climate and environment on the basis of Article 28, point (g), under the conditions set out therein, binding performance targets for terminal air navigation services in that key performance area of climate and environment and where applicable, incentive schemes; (d) periodic review and monitoring of performance in the key performance areas mentioned in point (a) and of relevant safety indicators defined in coordination with the Agency. 4. The performance scheme referred to in paragraphs 1 and 3 shall be based on: (a) the collection, validation, examination, evaluation and dissemination of relevant data related to the performance of air navigation services and network management from all relevant parties, including air navigation service providers, airspace users, airport operators, national supervisory authorities, national competent authorities, and other national authorities, the Agency, the Network Manager and Eurocontrol; (b) key performance indicators for target setting in the key performance areas referred to in paragraph 3, point (a) of this Article, without prejudice to paragraph 3, point (c)(iii) of this Article,and to Article 28, point (g); (c) indicators for monitoring performance in the key performance areas referred to in paragraph 3, point (a) and relevant safety indicators defined in coordination with the Agency; (d) a methodology to calculate breakdown values; (e) procedures for the establishment and revision of performance plans and of performance targets for air navigation services, and for the network management, as well as the templates, content and timetables of such plans; (f) the assessment of the draft performance plans and targets for air navigation services and network management; (g) monitoring of performance plans, including appropriate alert mechanisms for revision of performance plans and targets and for the revision of Union-wide performance targets in the course of a reference period; (h) benchmarking of air navigation service providers designated under Articles 8 and 10 where relevant; (i) incentive schemes including both financial positive incentives and disincentives; (j) risk-sharing mechanisms in respect of traffic and costs; (k) timetables for target setting, assessment of performance plans and targets, monitoring and benchmarking; (l) general principles established by the Commission on a proportional allocation of costs common to en route and terminal air navigation services between the two categories of services; (m) mechanisms to address unforeseeable and significant events which have a material impact on the implementation of the performance and charging schemes. The financial positive incentives and disincentives referred to in point (i) shall be proportionate to the magnitude of the deviation of the achieved performance from the target. They shall take into account the impact on the network and the extent to which the air navigation service provider has reasonable means to mitigate the impact of external factors. The incentives and disincentives shall be set at a level effectively fostering the quality-of-service provision and shall not impair the ability of the air navigation service provider to comply with its obligations under Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, including on financial robustness. In order to lay down the general principles referred to in point (l), the Commission shall review the existing national criteria to allocate costs common to en route and terminal air navigation services and shall consult national supervisory authorities and stakeholders. Based on this review, the Commission shall establish or, as appropriate, update those general principles no later than 12 months before the start of each reference period. 5. The setting of the performance targets included in the performance plans, the preparation and the assessment of draft performance plans and the monitoring and benchmarking of the performance of the air navigation services and network management shall take into account the impact of local circumstances as well as external factors that the air navigation service provider has no reasonable means to mitigate where appropriate. The impact of local circumstances already taken into account in the setting of Union-wide performance targets, in accordance with Article 22(2), point (d), and in the setting of breakdown values established under Article 22(1) shall subsequently not be taken into account when assessing the consistency of the performance targets included in the draft performance plan with Union-wide performance targets in order to justify the deviation of those former targets from those latter targets. The impact of local circumstances already taken into account for setting the performance targets included in the draft performance plan shall subsequently not be taken into account when monitoring the achievement of those targets. 6. The level of the performance targets referred to in paragraph 3, point (c)(iii) shall be set taking into account local circumstances, in particular local environmental policy requirements. 7. For the purpose of implementing the performance scheme established under this Regulation, account shall be taken of the fact that en route air navigation services, terminal air navigation services and network functions have different characteristics and shall therefore be treated accordingly, including, if necessary, for performance-measuring purposes.
Article 22 Establishment of the Union-wide performance targets
1. In accordance with paragraphs 2 to 3 of this Article, the Commission shall adopt implementing acts setting the Union-wide performance targets for en route air navigation services, in the key performance areas referred to in Article 21(3), point (a), for each reference period, and define the duration of that period. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 48(3). In conjunction with those Union-wide performance targets, the Commission may adopt implementing acts, setting complementary baseline values, alert thresholds, breakdown values and benchmark groups. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 48(3). 2. Union-wide performance targets referred to in paragraph 1 and performance targets for en route and terminal air navigation services defined by Member States at national level, referred to in Article 21(3), point (c), shall be defined on the basis of the following essential criteria: (a) they shall strive to achieve gradual improvements in respect of the climate and environmental, operational and economic performance of air navigation services; (b) they shall be realistic and achievable during the reference period concerned, enabling the efficient, sustainable and resilient provision of air navigation services whilst fostering longer term technological developments; (c) they shall take into account the economic and operational context of the reference period, including traffic forecast and operational data, as well as the interdependencies between the key performance areas referred to in Article 21(3), points (a) and (c), and the need to be aligned with the objectives of Regulation (EU) 2021/1119; (d) they shall take into account local circumstances of the Member States; (e) they shall take into account the safety indicators referred to in Article 21(3), point (d). 3. For the purposes of preparing its decisions on Union-wide performance targets and, if defined in application of Article 22(1), on complementary baseline values and breakdown values or benchmark groups, the Commission shall consult and collect any necessary inputs from national authorities, Eurocontrol, the Network Manager and operational stakeholders.
Article 23 Performance plans and performance targets for air navigation services
1. Member States shall, for each reference period, adopt a draft performance plan, pursuant to this Article. 2. The air navigation service providers designated under Articles 8 and 10 shall, for each reference period and for the air navigation services they provide and, where applicable, procure from other providers, prepare inputs to the draft performance plan and submit them to the national supervisory authority. The national supervisory authority may request that those inputs are in the form of a draft performance plan. Such inputs shall be prepared by the air navigation service providers designated under Articles 8 and 10 after the setting of Union-wide performance targets, in due time to enable the national supervisory authority to comply with the time-limit set out in paragraph 5 of this Article. 3. Where they are designated in accordance with Article 10, MET service providers shall also provide inputs on their cost base to the national supervisory authority. 4. The inputs, provided by the air navigation service providers designated under Articles 8 and 10 under paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article, regarding the allocation of costs included in the performance plans shall be based on the general principles referred to in Article 21(4), point (l). 5. The national supervisory authority shall review the information provided by each air navigation service provider designated under Articles 8 and 10, under paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 of this Article, and shall approve it, or shall make the necessary changes where appropriate. Subsequently, based on that information and, if appropriate, inputs from other national authorities, the national supervisory authority shall prepare a single national draft performance plan. That national draft performance plan shall be adopted by the Member State. The draft performance plan shall be prepared by the national supervisory authority before the start of the reference period concerned. 6. National supervisory authorities shall ensure that the allocation of costs included in the draft performance plan complies with the general principles referred to in Article 21(4), point (l) when preparing the performance plans. 7. With the aim of improving the level of performance of air traffic management, several Member States may develop a joint performance plan for en route air navigation services and, as appropriate, for terminal air navigation services. This plan shall at least cover the duration of one reference period, include at least one joint performance target and involve cross-border cooperation. The cross-border cooperation may include joint procurement with a view to improving interoperability and joint governance in order to optimise the use of airspace. 8. The draft performance plan referred to in paragraph 1 shall include relevant information, in particular traffic forecasts and operational data, provided by Eurocontrol and the Network Manager or, if appropriate and justified and after consultation with airspace users and air navigation service providers concerned, other traffic forecasts. In preparing the draft performance plan, the national supervisory authority shall consult airspace users’ representatives and, where relevant, military authorities, airport operators, airport coordinators, as well as the national competent authority without prejudice to the national arrangements resulting from Article 4(5) of this Regulation. Compliance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 and with the delegated and implementing acts adopted on the basis thereof shall be verified. 9. The draft performance plan shall contain, as appropriate, performance targets for en route air navigation services in the key performance areas referred to in Article 21(3), point (a), consistent with the Union-wide performance targets, as well as performance targets for terminal air navigation services, in the key performance areas of cost-efficiency and capacity and, subject to the conditions set out in Article 21(3), point (c)(iii), in the key performance area of climate and environment. Draft performance plans shall include a description on how the general principles referred to in Article 21(4), point (l), for the allocation of such common costs are applied. Draft performance plans shall take account of the European ATM Master Plan, the interdependencies between the key performance areas referred to in Article 21(3), point (a), and the local circumstances. 10. Without prejudice to Article 52(3), the adopted draft performance plans shall be made publicly available. 11. The adopted draft performance plans shall be submitted to the Commission for assessment and approval in accordance with Article 24.
Article 24 Assessment of performance plans
1. The Commission shall assess the adopted draft performance plans referred to in Article 23, including the consistency of performance targets for en route air navigation services with Union-wide performance targets, in line with the criteria and conditions laid down in the implementing acts referred to in Article 28, point (b), and the allocation of common costs between en route and terminal air navigation services according to the general principles referred to in Article 21(4), point (l). The assessment of the consistency of performance targets for en route air navigation services with Union-wide performance targets shall take into consideration performance improvements over time. The Commission shall review the performance targets for terminal air navigation services in light of the elements specified in the implementing act referred to in Article 28, point (b). 2. When assessing the consistency of performance targets for en route air navigation services with the Union-wide performance targets, the Commission shall take due account of local circumstances and interdependencies between key performance areas referred to in Article 21(3), point (a). The Commission may allow a deviation of performance targets for en route air navigation services from Union-wide performance targets with respect to a key performance area where deemed necessary and proportionate to ensure consistency of performance targets for those services with the Union-wide performance targets with respect to other key performance areas. 3. Where the Commission finds that the adopted draft performance plan meets the criteria and conditions referred to in Article 24(1) and laid down in the implementing acts referred to in Article 28, point (b), read in combination with paragraph 2 of this Article, it shall adopt an implementing act to approve it. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 48(2). 4. Where the Commission finds that there are doubts whether an adopted draft performance plan meets those criteria and conditions, read in combination with paragraph 2 of this Article, it shall initiate a detailed examination of that draft performance plan, requesting additional information from the Member State concerned if necessary. 5. Where, having carried out the detailed examination, the Commission finds that the adopted draft performance plan meets those criteria and conditions read in combination with paragraph 2 of this Article, it shall adopt an implementing act to approve it. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 48(2). Where the Commission finds that the adopted draft performance plan does not meet those criteria and conditions, it shall adopt an implementing act in the form of a decision, requesting the Member State concerned to submit a revised draft performance plan which complies with those criteria and conditions, and, where relevant, setting out the corrective measures to be taken by that Member State. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 48(3). The Member State concerned shall communicate to the Commission the measures that it has taken pursuant to that decision, as well as information demonstrating that those measures comply with that decision. Where the Commission finds that those measures are sufficient to ensure compliance with its decision, it shall notify the Member State concerned thereof and adopt an implementing act to approve the draft performance plan. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 48(2). Where the Commission finds that those measures are not sufficient to ensure compliance with the decision, it shall notify the Member State concerned. The Commission shall take, where appropriate, action to address the non-compliance, including through actions provided for in Article 258 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. 6. Draft performance plans approved by the Commission in accordance with this Article shall be adopted by the Member States concerned as definitive plans, and shall be made publicly available without prejudice to Article 52(3).
Article 25 Performance monitoring
1. The national supervisory authority shall assess, in cooperation with the national competent authority without prejudice to the national arrangements resulting from Article 4(5), whether the air navigation services provided in the airspace under their responsibility meet the performance targets contained in the performance plans approved in accordance with Article 24 and whether those plans have been implemented correctly, and shall implement the incentives schemes referred to in Article 21(4), point (i). 2. The national supervisory authority shall issue regular reports on the monitoring of performance of air navigation services provided by the air navigation service providers designated under Articles 8 and 10 and make them available to the Commission. The results of those assessments shall be made publicly available without prejudice to Article 52(3). The air navigation service providers designated under Articles 8 and 10 shall provide the information and data necessary for such monitoring to the national supervisory authority. This shall include information and data related to actual costs of the services provided and procured and related revenues. 3. To the extent that the air navigation service provider has reasonable means to mitigate the impact of external factors, where performance targets contained in the performance plans are not reached or the performance plan is not correctly implemented, the national supervisory authority shall require corrective measures to be implemented by the air navigation service providers concerned. Those corrective measures shall be adequate to improve the performance and proportionate, in particular considering interdependencies with safety and between performance areas, and the impact on the network. Where corrective measures imposed are not properly applied, the Member State concerned shall take appropriate measures and inform the Commission. In the event of persisting underperformance, the Commission may take action in accordance with Article 34(2) and 34(3). 4. The Commission shall monitor the performance of the provision of air navigation services and network functions on the basis of the reports of national supervisory authorities and of analysis of data received and shall carry out regular assessments of the overall achievement of the Union-wide performance targets and present the results to the committee referred to in Article 48(1).
Article 26 Network Performance Plan
1. The Network Manager shall, for each reference period, draw up, in accordance with the cooperative decision-making process referred to in Article 38(11), a draft Network Performance Plan. The draft Network Performance Plan shall be drawn up after the setting of Union-wide performance targets and before the start of the reference period concerned. It shall contain performance targets in the key performance areas referred to in Article 21(3), point (a). 2. The draft Network Performance Plan shall be submitted to the Commission for assessment and adoption. 3. The Commission shall assess the draft Network Performance Plan based on the following essential criteria: (a) consideration of performance improvements over time, for the reference period covered by the performance plan, and for the timeframe comprising both the preceding reference period and the reference period covered by the performance plan as well as contribution towards Union-wide performance targets; (b) completeness and consistency of the draft Network Performance Plan in terms of data and supporting materials, including key assumptions applied and traffic forecasts. 4. Where the Commission finds that the draft Network Performance Plan is complete and shows adequate performance improvements, it shall adopt the draft Network Performance Plan as a definitive plan. Otherwise, the Commission shall request the Network Manager to submit a revised draft Network Performance Plan.
Article 27 Revision of performance targets and performance plans during a reference period
1. Where, during a reference period, Union-wide performance targets are no longer adequate, in the light of significantly changed circumstances or safety considerations, and where the revision of one or several targets is necessary and proportionate, the Commission shall revise those Union-wide performance targets. Article 22 shall apply to such decision. Where, following such revision, the performance targets contained in the performance plans adopted pursuant to Article 24(6) are no longer consistent with the Union-wide performance targets, the national supervisory authorities shall revise those plans with respect to the performance targets concerned. Articles 23, 24 and 25 shall apply to the revision of those plans. The consultation referred to in Article 23(8) may be limited, for the purpose of this subparagraph, to the performance targets and parts of the draft performance plans which are directly or indirectly affected by the revision. Following the revision referred to in the first subparagraph, national supervisory authorities shall prepare new draft performance plans, to which Articles 23, 24 and 25 shall apply. The Network Manager shall draw up a new draft Network Performance Plan, to which Article 26 shall apply. 2. The decision on the revised Union-wide performance targets referred to in paragraph 1 shall include transitional provisions for the time period until the definitive revised performance plans become applicable. Revised Union-wide performance targets and transitional provisions shall not apply retroactively. 3. In the event of a network crisis, such as geopolitical conflicts, health crises or natural disaster, which prevents the issuing of reliable traffic forecasts, the transitional provisions adopted by the Commission in accordance with paragraph 2 may include the temporary suspension or adaptation of the performance scheme until the network crisis ends and the new reliable forecasts are available. In such a case, the Commission shall define the relating conditions, including necessary adaptations to applicable charges, in the decision referred to in paragraph 1. 4. Member States may, subject to the approval of the Commission, revise one or several performance targets, during a reference period where alert thresholds are reached, or where it is demonstrated that the initial data, assumptions and rationales underpinning the performance targets are to a significant and lasting extent no longer accurate due to circumstances that were unforeseeable at the time of the adoption of the performance plan. The Commission shall approve this revision if it concludes that the revision is necessary and proportionate and the revised performance targets are consistent with Union-wide performance targets. In such a case, Member States shall revise the performance plans with respect to the targets concerned, in accordance with the procedures set out in Articles 23 and 24. The consultation referred to in Article 23(8) may be limited, for the purpose of this paragraph, to the performance targets and parts of the performance plans which are directly or indirectly affected by the revision.
Article 28 Implementation of the performance scheme
For the implementation of the performance scheme, the Commission shall adopt implementing acts laying down detailed requirements and procedures in respect of Article 21(4) and Articles 22 to 27, in particular as regards: (a) the preparation, development, assessment, approval and revision of performance plans; (b) the setting of performance targets, the criteria and conditions for their assessment, including for assessing the consistency of targets for en route air navigation services with Union-wide performance targets, and a methodology to define breakdown values; (c) general principles for the allocation of common costs between en route and terminal air navigation services, as referred to in Article 21(4), point (l); (d) the monitoring of performance plans, of the performance of network functions, alert mechanisms for revision of performance plans and targets and for the revision of Union-wide performance targets during the course of a reference period and issuance of corrective measures as referred to in Articles 21(4), 23, 24, 25 and 27; (e) the timetables for all procedures; (f) a mechanism to address events, referred to in Article 21(4), point (m); (g) the setting of key performance indicators and indicators for monitoring. The Commission is empowered to set key performance indicators for terminal air navigation services in the key performance area of climate and environment once it is possible to establish indicators which are valid, reliable and measurable. Those indicators shall as a minimum be capable of demonstrating and measuring the impacts in that area which can be directly influenced by the air navigation service providers; (h) methodology for benchmarking; (i) the incentive schemes; (j) conditions for the establishment of the joint performance plans. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 48(3).
Article 29 Principles for the charging scheme
1. Without prejudice to the possibility for Member States to finance the provision of air navigation services covered in this Article through public funds insofar as it is in line with Treaty rules on competition where applicable, charges for air navigation services shall be determined, imposed and enforced on airspace users. The charging scheme set up under this Article and Articles 30 to 32 shall be consistent with Article 15 of the Chicago Convention. For en route charges, the charging scheme set up under this Regulation and the implementing acts referred to in Article 33 and Eurocontrol’s charging system for en route charges shall be consistent. 2. Articles 29 to 36 shall not apply to terminal air navigation services provided at airports, located in the territory of the Member States to which the Treaty applies, with less than 80 000 IFR air transport movements per year. However, a Member State may decide that such terminal air navigation services are subject to those Articles. 3. Charges shall be based on the costs of air navigation service providers designated under Articles 8 and 10 incurred in respect of services and functions for the benefit of airspace users over fixed reference periods as defined in Article 21(3). Those costs may include a reasonable return on assets. 4. Charges shall encourage the safe, efficient, effective and sustainable provision of air navigation services with a view to achieving a high level of safety and cost-efficiency whilst reducing the environmental impact of aviation. 5. Revenues received by an air navigation service provider designated under Articles 8 and 10 from charges imposed on airspace users in accordance with this Article shall not be used to finance services which that air navigation service provider provides under market conditions in accordance with Article 11 or to finance any other commercial activity performed by that provider. 6. Financial data on determined costs, actual costs and related revenues of designated air navigation service providers shall be reported to national supervisory authorities. For the purpose of enabling the Commission to carry out its tasks under this Regulation, national supervisory authorities shall report those data to the Commission in accordance with the modalities defined in the implementing act referred to in Article 33. Financial data on determined costs, actual costs and related revenues shall be made available to airspace users, and shall be published in accordance with Article 52(3).
Article 30 Cost bases for charges
1. The cost bases for charges for air navigation services shall consist of the determined costs, as established in the performance plans adopted in accordance with Article 24(6), related to the provision of those services in the en route charging zone and terminal charging zone concerned. 2. The determined costs referred to in paragraph 1 shall include the costs of relevant facilities and services, cost of capital and depreciation of assets, as well as the costs of maintenance, operation, management and administration, including staff costs. 3. The determined costs referred to in paragraph 1 shall also include the following costs: (a) costs related to the oversight of air navigation services incurred by national supervisory authorities, national competent authorities, and other national authorities entrusted by Member States to carry out tasks in relation to this Regulation and Regulation 2018/1139, where the Member State so decides; (b) costs incurred by the air navigation service providers designated under Articles 8 and 10, in relation to the provision of air navigation services and the network functions; (c) costs stemming from the Eurocontrol International Convention relating to cooperation for the safety of air navigation of 13 December 1960 as last amended, where the Member State so decides. 4. Determined costs shall not include the costs of penalties imposed by Member States in accordance with Article 53. 5. Costs that pertain to both en route air navigation services and terminal air navigation services shall be allocated in compliance with the general principles referred to in Article 21(4), point (l). Cross-subsidy between en route air navigation services and terminal air navigation services shall not be allowed. Cross-subsidy shall be allowed between different air navigation services within either one of those two categories only when justified for objective reasons, subject to transparent identification in accordance with Article 36(3). 6. Air navigation service providers designated under Articles 8 and 10 shall provide details of their cost base to the national supervisory authority. To this end, costs shall be broken down by distinguishing staff costs, operating costs other than staff costs, depreciation costs, cost of capital, exceptional costs and costs referred to in Article 30(3). For the purpose of enabling the Commission to carry out its tasks under this Regulation, the national supervisory authority shall provide this information to the Commission in accordance with the modalities defined in the implementing act referred to in Article 33.
Article 31 Charging zone and unit rates
1. Unit rates shall be set per calendar year and for each charging zone, on the basis of the determined costs and the traffic forecasts established in the performance plans as well as applicable adjustments deriving from previous years and other revenues, in particular public funds, including financial support from Union assistance programmes. 2. Without prejudice to Article 30(5), Member States shall define, before the start of a reference period, the charging zones for air navigation services and shall identify the air traffic service providers falling under the scope of each charging zone. The Commission shall adopt an implementing act to define the conditions under which Member States may modify or establish a new terminal charging zone during a reference period. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 48(3). 3. Unit rates shall be set by the Member States, and be subject to verification by the Commission that they comply with Article 29, Article 30 and with this Article. Where the Commission finds that a unit rate does not fulfil those requirements, the unit rate shall be reviewed accordingly by the Member State concerned, and amended so as to fulfil those requirements. Unit rates shall be published. 4. Member States may define common charging zones and, in such cases, shall set common unit rates for those charging zones.
Article 32 Establishment of charges
1. Charges shall be levied on airspace users for the provision of air navigation services, under non-discriminatory conditions, taking into account the relative productive capacities of the different aircraft types concerned. When imposing charges on different airspace users for the use of the same service, no distinction shall be made in relation to the nationality or category of the user. 2. The en route charge for air navigation services for a given flight in a given en route charging zone shall be calculated on the basis of the unit rate established for that en route charging zone and the en route service units for that flight. 3. The terminal charge for air navigation services for a given flight in a given terminal charging zone shall be calculated on the basis of the unit rate established for that terminal charging zone and the terminal service units for that flight. For the purpose of calculating the terminal charge, the approach and departure of a flight shall count as a single flight. 4. Certain airspace users or flights, especially those using or operated with light aircraft and state aircraft, may be exempted from air navigation charges, provided that the cost of such exemption is covered by other resources and is not passed on to other airspace users. 5. The Commission shall, in consultation with the Member States, air traffic service providers and airspace users, conduct a study on the contribution of the modulation of charges to the achievement of the objectives of the Single European Sky, defined in Article 1(1) of this Regulation, and of Regulation (EU) 2021/1119. This study shall also assess the feasability of that modulation and its impact on air traffic, service provision, administrative costs and stakeholders. 6. The result of the study referred to in paragraph 5 of this Article will provide the essential information for the Commission to determine whether to adopt an implementing act in accordance with Article 48(3), to ensure the uniform application of modulation of en route charges to encourage airspace users to support improvements in climate and environmental performance such as the use of the most fuel-efficient available routing, increased use of alternative clean propulsion technologies including sustainable alternative fuels, while maintaining an optimum safety level. 7. The modulation referred to in paragraph 6 shall consist of financial advantages or disadvantages and shall be revenue neutral for air traffic service providers. 8. In addition to the modulation of charges referred to in paragraph 6, charges may be modulated by Member States to encourage air traffic service providers and airspace users to support improvements in service quality such as increased capacity, reduced delays and sustainable development.
Article 33 Implementation of the charging scheme
For the implementation of the charging scheme, the Commission shall adopt implementing acts, laying down detailed requirements and procedures in respect of Articles 29 to 32 in particular regarding the cost bases and determined costs, the setting of unit rates, risk-sharing mechanisms and the modulation of charges, and the modalities of the provision of data by the national supervisory authorities to the Commission. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 48(3).
Article 34 Review of compliance with the performance and charging schemes
1. The Commission shall regularly review compliance of Member States with Articles 21 to 27 and 29 to 32 and the implementing acts referred to in Articles 28 and 33. When carrying out that review, the Commission shall assess whether Member States ensure, in line with their duty of sincere cooperation, compliance by the air navigation service providers with their obligations under those Articles. The Commission shall act in consultation with the PRB and with national supervisory authorities. 2. Where the Commission has indications of non-compliance with the provisions referred to in paragraph 1, it may initiate an investigation. It shall conclude the investigation within four months, after having heard the Member State, and the national supervisory authority concerned. 3. Without prejudice to Article 52(1), the Commission shall share the results of the investigation with the Member State and, where appropriate, the air navigation service providers designated under Articles 8 and 10 concerned and the Commission may issue an opinion on whether Articles 21 to 27 and 29 to 32 and the implementing acts referred to in Articles 28 and 33 have been complied with by that Member State. It shall notify this opinion to the Member State concerned.
Article 35 Application of the performance and charging schemes to the military
1. Articles 21 to 34 shall not apply to militaries which provide air navigation services primarily to aircraft movements other than general air traffic. However, Member States may decide to apply those Articles to militaries which provide air navigation services primarily to aircraft movements other than general air traffic. Where the provisions of Articles 21 to 34 do not apply to militaries which provide air navigation services, the costs of the related services shall not be part of the determined costs referred to in Article 30(1). 2. Articles 21 to 34 shall apply to militaries which provide air navigation services primarily to general air traffic with respect to the services provided to general air traffic.
Article 36 Transparency of accounts of air navigation service providers
1. Air navigation service providers, independently of their system of ownership or legal structures, shall annually draw up and publish their financial accounts. These accounts shall comply with the international accounting standards adopted by the Union. Where, owing to the legal status of the air navigation service provider, full compliance with the international accounting standards is not possible, the provider shall achieve such compliance to the maximum possible extent. Air navigation service providers shall publish an annual report and regularly undergo an independent audit for the accounts referred to in this paragraph. 2. National supervisory authorities shall have the right to access the accounts of the air navigation service providers under their supervision. Member States may decide to grant access to these accounts to national supervisory authorities of other Member States. Where necessary to enable the Commission to carry out its tasks under this Regulation, national supervisory authorities shall provide this information to the Commission. 3. Air navigation service providers shall, in their internal accounting, keep separate accounts for each air navigation service as they would be required to do if these services were carried out by separate undertakings with a view to avoiding discrimination, cross-subsidisation and distortion of competition. An air navigation service provider shall also keep separate accounts for each activity where: (a) it provides air navigation services procured in accordance with Article 11(1) and 11(2) and air navigation services not covered by that provision; (b) it provides air navigation services and carries out other activities, of whatever kind, including CIS; (c) it provides air navigation services in the Union and in third countries. The determined and actual costs deriving from air navigation services shall be broken down into costs categories in accordance with Article 30(6) and they shall be made publicly available, without prejudice to Article 52(3). 4. The financial data reported in accordance with Article 29(6) and other information relevant for the calculation of unit rates shall be audited or verified by the national supervisory authority or an entity independent of the air navigation service provider concerned and approved by the national supervisory authority. The conclusions of that audit shall be made publicly available without prejudice to Article 52(3).
Article 37 Network functions
1. Air traffic management network functions shall lead to the sustainable and efficient use of airspace and of scarce resources. They shall also ensure that airspace users can operate environmentally- and climate-optimised flight trajectories and profiles, while allowing fair and reasonable access to airspace and air navigation services and minimising congestion. The network functions set out in paragraph 2 of this Article shall support seamless access to air navigation services by airspace users as well as the achievement of the Union-wide performance targets, referred to in Article 21(3), point (b), and shall be based on operational requirements. The implementation of those network functions shall respect the provisions of Article 1, and shall be without prejudice to Member States’ sovereignty over their airspace and to their requirements relating to public order, public security and defence matters. 2. The network functions referred to in paragraph 1 are the following: (a) the design and utilisation of airspace structures across the Union with a view to offering the required level of safety, capacity, flexibility, responsiveness, environmental performance, with due regard to security and defence needs and without prejudice to the responsibilities of Member States with regard to routes and airspace structures for the airspace under their responsibility; (b) ATFM; (c) the coordination of scarce resources within aviation frequency bands used by general air traffic, in particular radio frequencies as well as coordination of radar transponder codes; (d) the facilitation of delegation of air traffic services provision through cooperation with the air traffic service providers and Member State authorities; (e) the delivery of air traffic control capacity in the network in accordance with commitments set out in the NOP, with a view to fulfilling network operational performance requirements and local reference values; (f) the management of network crises; (g) ATFM delay attribution; (h) the management of the planning, monitoring and coordination of implementation activities of the deployment of infrastructure in the European ATM network, in accordance with the European ATM Master Plan, taking into account operational needs and associated operational procedures; (i) the monitoring of the functioning of the European ATM network infrastructure. 3. Member States and all relevant operational stakeholders shall execute network functions with the contribution of the Network Manager as defined in Article 38(6) and the implementing act referred to in Article 38(10). 4. The functions set out in paragraph 2 shall not involve the adoption of binding measures of a general scope or the exercise of political discretion. They shall be performed in coordination with civil and military authorities, in particular in accordance with agreed procedures concerning the flexible use of airspace. The measures taken for the implementation of the functions listed in paragraph 2 shall be of purely operational or technical nature and shall take into account the specificities of the Member States. 5. In order to ensure the uniform implementation of and compliance with the provisions referred to in this Article, the Commission shall, with a view to achieving the objectives set out in Article 1, adopt implementing acts, in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 48(3), laying down detailed rules regarding the execution of the network functions, including on crisis management.
Article 38 The Network Manager
1. In order to achieve the objectives referred to in Article 37(1) of this Regulation, the Commission, supported by the Agency in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, shall ensure that the Network Manager contributes to the execution of the network functions set out in Article 37(2) of this Regulation, by carrying out the tasks referred to in paragraph 6 of this Article. The Commission shall supervise the proper execution of the tasks of the Network Manager. 2. The Commission shall appoint an independent, impartial and competent body to carry out the tasks of the Network Manager. 3. To this end, the Commission shall adopt an implementing act in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 48(3). This appointment Decision shall include the terms and conditions of the appointment, including the financing of the Network Manager. 4. In order to ensure the uniform implementation of and compliance with the provisions referred to in paragraph 2, the Commission shall, with a view to achieving the objectives set out in Article 1, adopt implementing acts laying down detailed provisions including: (a) appointment requirements and procedures; (b) independence requirements; (c) requirements of expertise; (d) financing; (e) Commission supervision of execution by the Network Manager of its tasks; (f) requirements for measuring the performance of the Network Manager. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 48(3). 5. The Network Manager shall execute its tasks in an impartial and cost-efficient manner and shall be subject to appropriate governance and independence. If the competent body appointed as the Network Manager has also regulatory functions, organisational separation with such functions shall be ensured. In the execution of its tasks, the Network Manager shall take into consideration the needs of the whole ATM network while safeguarding defence capabilities and it shall fully involve all the operational stakeholders. 6. Upon the application of the implementing act referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article, the Network Manager shall, within the limits of Article 37(4), contribute to the execution of the network functions through the following tasks: (a) the establishment of the Network Operations Plan and the preparation of the Network Strategy Plan; (b) support to the design and coordination of the utilisation of airspace structures; (c) facilitation of the delegation of air traffic services provision, when approved by the concerned Member States, by supporting the Member States and air traffic service providers concerned taking into account the necessary agreements for the coordination of general and operational air traffic and the need to maintain adequate coordination in the relevant airspace structures; (d) coordination and support in the delivery of air traffic control capacity in the network in accordance with commitments set out in the NOP, with a view to fulfil network operational performance requirements and local reference values; (e) coordination and support in the management of network crises; (f) coordination of scarce resources within aviation frequency bands used by general air traffic, in particular radio frequencies as well as coordination of radar transponder codes; (g) coordination of ATFM and provision, organisation and operation of the central unit of ATFM; (h) the development of procedures and organisation of processes for ATFM delay attribution through cooperative decision-making; (i) coordination, monitoring and support in the planning and implementation activities of the deployment of infrastructure in the European ATM network in partnership with the operational stakeholders to ensure their active participation in management and governance; (j) the monitoring of the performance of the European ATM network infrastructure; (k) coordination with ICAO and ICAO regions in relation with the execution of the network functions; (l) the establishment of the Network Manager’s work programme and budget; (m) the provision of data on flight plans in relation to Regulation (EC) No 2111/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 22 ) or with other safety and security measures, and through any other tasks necessary for, and intrinsically linked to, the contribution by the Network Manager to the execution of the network functions, as specified in the implementing acts referred to in paragraph 10. 7. The Network Manager shall contribute to the execution of the network functions through support measures aimed at safe and efficient planning and operations of the stakeholders within the network under normal and network crisis conditions and measures aimed at the continuous improvement of network operations in the Single European Sky and the overall performance of the network, especially regarding the implementation of the performance scheme including in respect of climate and the environment. The action taken by the Network Manager shall take account of the need to fully integrate the airports in the network and aim to ensure compliance with the performance plans and performance targets of designated air traffic service providers. 8. The Network Manager shall cooperate closely with the Commission in order to facilitate that the performance targets referred to in Article 21 are adequately reflected in the overall capacity planning, as well as the capacity to be delivered by individual air traffic service providers and agreed between the Network Manager and those air traffic service providers in the NOP. 9. The Network Manager shall: (a) through cooperative decision-making, determine operational actions and propose remedial measures to be taken by operational stakeholders with a view to contributing to the achievement of the Union-wide performance targets and binding local performance targets with due consideration for regional and local circumstances, and to implementing the network operational performance requirements and local reference values as set out in the NOP and advise on climate-optimised flight trajectories; the operational stakeholders may decide whether any proposed remedial measures are to be implemented, and shall inform the Network Management Board of the reasons for not implementing them. (b) in coordination with relevant parties, advise the Commission and provide relevant information to the PRB on the deployment of the ATM network infrastructure in accordance with the European ATM Master Plan, in particular to identify investments necessary for the network. 10. In order to ensure the uniform implementation of the provisions referred to in paragraphs 6 to 9 of this Article, the Commission shall, with a view to achieving the objectives set out in Article 1, adopt implementing acts establishing detailed rules for the implementation of the tasks of the Network Manager, as defined to in those paragraphs. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 48(3). 11. In the execution of its tasks, the Network Manager shall take measures through a cooperative decision-making process. Parties to the cooperative decision-making process shall act to the maximum extent possible with a view to improving the functioning and performance of the network including the achievement of the Union-wide performance targets in the key performance area of climate and environment. The cooperative decision-making process shall promote the interest of the network taking into account essential security and defence interests, and other local or regional conditions, such as geographical, topographical and meteorological conditions. Member States shall be fully involved in decisions of strategic importance, in particular in the shaping of the Network Strategy Plan. 12. The cooperative decision-making process referred to in paragraph 11 shall be based, in particular, on a consultation process of operational stakeholders, airport slot coordinators, Member States and, where relevant, the Agency and the Commission, on working arrangements and processes for operations and on resolution mechanisms involving the Network Management Board where necessary. Where a Member State’s sovereignty over its airspace is concerned, the consent of that Member State is required. 13. In order to ensure the uniform implementation of and compliance with the provisions referred to in paragraphs 11 and 12, the Commission shall, with a view to achieving the objectives set out in Article 1, adopt implementing acts laying down, detailed provisions regarding the cooperative decision-making process including: (a) a process to consult operational stakeholders, airport slot coordinators, Member States and, where relevant, the Agency and the Commission; (b) working arrangements and processes for operations; (c) the involvement of Member States’ authorities when required; (d) resolution mechanisms involving the Network Management Board where necessary; (e) any other measure necessary with regard to the decision-making processes. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 48(3). 14. A Network Management Board is established with a view to ensuring appropriate governance over the execution of the network functions. The Network Management Board shall be responsible for: (a) approving or endorsing measures taken or proposed by the Network Manager in accordance with the implementing act referred to in paragraph 15; (b) approving the specifications for the consultation and the detailed working arrangements referred to in paragraphs 12 and 13; (c) approving the NOP; (d) endorsing the NSP, after consulting and taking into account the opinion of the Member States, and before it is approved by the Commission; (e) monitoring the implementation of network functions and for providing opinions or recommendations on specific issues; and (f) any other measure necessary for the execution of the governance mechanisms. The approval by the Commission of the NSP shall take the form of an implementing act. That implementing act shall be adopted according to the examination procedure referred to in Article 48(3). The Network Management Board shall have voting and non-voting members. It shall be composed of representatives of the operational stakeholders, of representatives of the Commission, of representatives of the Network Manager and of representatives of Eurocontrol. 15. In order to ensure the uniform implementation of and compliance with the provisions referred to in paragraph 14 of this Article, the Commission shall, with a view to achieving the objectives set out in Article 1, adopt implementing acts, laying down detailed rules regarding the Network Management Board in particular for: (a) the composition of the Network Management Board; (b) the functioning and responsibilities of the Network Management Board as defined in paragraph 14; (c) the network governance mechanisms. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 48(3). 16. Without prejudice to Article 37(2), point (a), of this Regulation and to Articles 44 and 46 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 and the delegated and implementing acts adopted on the basis thereof, Member States shall have the complete competence for the development, approval and establishment of the routes and airspace structures for the airspace under their responsibility. In that regard, Member States shall take into account air traffic demands, seasonality and complexity of air traffic and of performance plans. Before deciding on those aspects, they shall take due consideration of the needs of airspace users concerned or groups representing such airspace users and military authorities as appropriate.
Article 39 Transparency of accounts of the Network Manager
1. The financial accounts of the Network Manager shall be drawn up and published annually. Those accounts shall comply with the international accounting standards adopted by the Union. Where, due to the legal status of the Network Manager, full compliance with the international accounting standards is not possible, the Network Manager shall achieve such compliance to the maximum possible extent. 2. The Network Manager shall publish an annual report on its activities and regularly undergo an independent audit.
Article 40 Relations with stakeholders
Air traffic service providers shall establish consultation mechanisms to consult the relevant airspace users, airport operators and military authorities on all major issues related to services provided, including relevant changes to airspace configurations, or major investments which have a relevant impact on air traffic management and air navigation service provision or charges. In particular, their positions shall be taken into consideration at an early stage in the process of developing long-term strategic investment plans, especially as regards aspects requiring synchronisation between air and ground equipment deployment.
Article 41 Relations with military authorities
Member States shall, within the context of the common transport policy ensure that written agreements between the competent civil and military authorities or equivalent legal arrangements are established or renewed in respect of the management of specific airspace blocks and inform the Commission accordingly.
Article 42 Availability of and access to operational data for general air traffic
1. With regard to general air traffic, relevant operational data shall be made available in an interoperable format in real-time, on a transparent and non-discriminatory basis and without prejudice to national security, public order and defence policy interests, by all air navigation service providers, airspace users, airports and the Network Manager, including on a cross-border and a Union-wide basis. Such availability shall be to the benefit of certified or declared air navigation service providers, entities having a proven interest in considering the provision of air navigation services, military entities in charge of security and defence activities, military air navigation service providers, airspace users and airports as well as the Network Manager. The data shall be used only for operational purposes. 2. Prices for the service referred to in paragraph 1 shall be based on general principles and common pricing rules to be established in the implementing act referred to in paragraph 4. 3. Access to relevant operational data as referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be granted free of charge to the authorities in charge of safety oversight, performance and network oversight, security, public order, and defence, including the Agency, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1139. 4. The Commission shall adopt implementing acts laying down the detailed requirements for the making available of and the access to data in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 3 of this Article, including the specific operational data concerned, the general principles and common pricing rules for setting the prices as referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article, and requirements for the identification of entities having a proven interest in considering the provision of air navigation services. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 48(3).
Article 43 Electronic aeronautical information
Without prejudice to the publication by Member States of aeronautical information and in a manner consistent with that publication, the Network Manager shall, upon the application of the implementing decision referred to in Article 38(3) of this Regulation, establish a Union-wide aeronautical information infrastructure to further the availability of electronic aeronautical information of high quality, presented in an easily accessible way and serving the requirements of all relevant users in terms of data quality and timeliness. The aeronautical information thus made available shall only be the information that complies with the essential requirements set out in point 2.1 of Annex VIII of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139.
Article 44 Airspace classification
The Commission shall, in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 48(3) adopt appropriate provisions to ensure uniform implementation of the ICAO airspace classification with appropriate adaptation, with a view to ensure the seamless provision of safe and efficient air traffic services within the Single European Sky.
Article 45 Flexible use of airspace
1. Taking into account the characteristics and nature of military activity in each Member State as well as the organisation of military matters under their responsibility, Member States shall ensure the application within the Single European Sky of the concept of the flexible use of airspace, in order to facilitate airspace management and air traffic management in the context of the common transport policy and, where appropriate, in consistency with the European ATM Master Plan. 2. Member States shall report annually to the Commission on the application, in the context of the common transport policy, of the concept of the flexible use of airspace in respect of the airspace under their responsibility. 3. Where, in particular in the light of the reports submitted by Member States, uniform conditions for the application of the concept of the flexible use of airspace within the Single European Sky are needed, the Commission shall, within the limits of the common transport policy and without prejudice to Article 1(2), adopt implementing acts laying down such uniform conditions. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 48(3). 4. In cases of significant operational difficulties in the application of this Article impairing the safeguard of essential security or defence policy interests, Member States may temporarily suspend such application on condition that they inform without delay the Commission and the other Member States thereof. Following the introduction of a temporary suspension, adjustments to the rules adopted under paragraph 3 may be developed for the airspace under the responsibility of the Member State concerned. The temporary suspension and any such adjustments shall be lifted when those operational difficulties cease.
Article 46 SESAR coordination
The entities in charge of tasks established in Union law in the areas of coordination of the SESAR definition phase, the SESAR development phase and the SESAR deployment phase, as the case may be, shall ensure effective coordination between those three phases so as to achieve a seamless and timely transition between them, focussing in particular on the industrialisation phase. All relevant civil and military stakeholders shall be involved to the widest possible extent.
Article 47 Common projects
1. The Commission may set up common projects, based on the needs for synchronisation amongst stakeholders, for implementing the essential operational changes identified in the European ATM Master Plan having a network-wide impact and having reached sufficient maturity for implementation in order to enable interoperable capabilities in all Member States with a view to improving the performance of the Single European Sky. 2. The Commission may also establish governance mechanisms for common projects and their implementation. All relevant civil and military stakeholders shall be involved in these mechanisms to the widest possible extent and, where possible and as appropriate, have a leading role. 3. Common projects may be eligible for Union funding within the multiannual financial framework. To this end, and without prejudice to Member States’ competence to decide on the use of their financial resources, the Commission shall carry out an independent cost-benefit analysis and appropriate consultations with the Member States and with relevant stakeholders in accordance with Article 49, exploring prioritisation and all appropriate means for financing the implementation thereof. 4. The Commission shall adopt implementing acts establishing the common projects and governance mechanisms referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 48(3).
Article 48 Committee procedure
1. The Commission shall be assisted by the Single Sky Committee, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Committee’, composed of two representatives of each Member State and chaired by the Commission. The Committee shall ensure an appropriate consideration of the interests of all categories of users. The Committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011. 2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 4 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply. 3. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply. 4. Where the Committee delivers no opinion, the Commission shall not adopt the draft implementing act and the third subparagraph of Article 5(4) of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.
Article 49 Consultation of stakeholders
1. Member States, national supervisory authorities, the PRB and the Network Manager, as well as the Agency with regard to its tasks under Article 21, paragraphs 3 and 4, and Article 38(1), shall establish consultation mechanisms for appropriate consultation of stakeholders. 2. The Commission shall establish a mechanism at Union level to consult the relevant stakeholders on matters related to the implementation of this Regulation. The specific Sectoral Dialogue Committee set up under Decision 98/500/EC shall be involved in the consultation. For the purpose of point (e) of paragraph 3 of this Article, when consultation relating to military aspects is required, the Commission shall, in addition to Member States, consult the European Defence Agency and national military authorities. 3. For the purposes of paragraphs 1 and 2, at least the following operational and non-operational stakeholders shall be consulted if relevant: (a) air navigation service providers or groups representing them; (b) the Network Manager; (c) airport operators or relevant groups representing them; (d) airspace users or relevant groups representing them; (e) the military; (f) the manufacturing industry; (g) professional staff representative bodies; (h) relevant national authorities; (i) airport slot coordinators; (j) non-governmental organisations with an interest in aviation or ATM.
Article 50 Relations with third countries
The Union and its Member States shall aim at and support the extension of the Single European Sky to countries that are not members of the European Union. To that end, they shall endeavour, within the framework of agreements concluded with neighbouring third countries, in particular in the Eurocontrol area or in the ICAO EUR region, to extend the Single European Sky to those countries. In addition, they shall endeavour to cooperate with those countries either in the context of agreements on cross-border service provision with third countries, on cooperation on ATM modernisation, on network functions, or in the framework of the Agreement between the Union and Eurocontrol providing a general framework for enhanced cooperation, reinforcing the pan-European dimension of ATM. This Article is without prejudice to decisions of Member States on whether the Single European Sky should be extended to their overseas countries and territories or autonomous territories in other ICAO regions.
Article 51 Support by other bodies
The Commission may request support from other bodies for the fulfilment of its tasks under this Regulation, including from Eurocontrol in the framework of the Agreement between the Union and Eurocontrol providing a general framework for enhanced cooperation.
Article 52 Confidentiality
1. Neither the national supervisory authorities, acting in accordance with their national legislation, nor the national competent authorities, nor the Commission, nor the PRB, nor the Network Manager, nor the Agency shall disclose information of a confidential nature, in particular information about air navigation service providers, their business relations or their cost and revenues components. 2. Paragraph 1 shall be without prejudice to the right of disclosure by national supervisory authorities and the Commission where this is essential for the fulfilment of their duties. In that case such disclosure shall be proportionate and shall have regard to the legitimate interests of air navigation service providers, airspace users, airports or other relevant stakeholders in the protection of their commercially sensitive information. 3. Information and data made accessible pursuant to Articles 12(4), 23(10), 24(6), 25(2), 36(3) and 36(4) or reported pursuant to Article 29(6) in particular as regards determined costs and actual costs of designated air traffic service providers shall be publicly disclosed, subject to the protection of public security, defence and military matters or commercial interests of a natural or legal person, including intellectual property, unless there is an overriding public interest in disclosure.
Article 53 Penalties
Member States shall lay down rules on penalties applicable to infringements of this Regulation and of the implementing acts adopted on the basis thereof, in particular by airspace users, airport operators and air navigation service providers, and shall take all measures necessary to ensure that they are implemented. The penalties provided for shall be effective, proportionate and dissuasive.
Article 54 Evaluation
1. The Commission shall conduct an evaluation to assess the legal, social, economic and environmental impacts of this Regulation and its added value both at national and European level after the end of the fifth reference period and at the latest 3 years after the end of that reference period. When justified for this purpose, the Commission may request from the Member States, including military authorities, information relevant to the application of this Regulation. 2. The Commission shall submit its findings to the European Parliament and to the Council. The findings of the evaluation referred to in paragraph 1 shall be made public.
Article 55 Safeguards
This Regulation shall not prevent the application of measures by a Member State to the extent that these are needed to safeguard essential security or defence policy interests. Such measures are in particular those which are imperative: (a) for the surveillance of airspace that is under its responsibility in accordance with ICAO Regional Air Navigation agreements, including the capability to detect, identify and evaluate all aircraft using such airspace, with a view to seeking to safeguard safety of flights and to take action to ensure security and defence needs; (b) in the event of serious internal disturbances affecting the maintenance of law and order; (c) in the event of war or serious international tension constituting a threat of war; (d) for the fulfilment of a Member State’s international obligations in relation to the maintenance of peace and international security; (e) in order to conduct military operations and training, including the necessary possibilities for exercises.
Article 56 Repeal
Regulations (EC) No 549/2004, (EC) No 550/2004 and (EC) No 551/2004 are repealed, without prejudice to Article 58 of this Regulation. References to the repealed Regulations shall be construed as references to this Regulation and shall be read in accordance with the correlation table in Annex II.
Article 57 Amendments to Regulation (EU) 2018/1139
Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 is amended as follows: (1) Article 2 is amended as follows: (a) point (h) of paragraph 1 is replaced by the following: ‘(h) Without prejudice to Regulation (EU) 2024/2803 ( *1 ) of the European Parliament and of the Council and the responsibilities of Member States with regard to airspace under their jurisdiction, the design of airspace structures in the Single European Sky airspace. ( *1 ) Regulation (EU) 2024/2803 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2024 on the implementation of the Single European Sky ( OJ L, 2024/2803, 11.11.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2803/oj )’;" (b) paragraph 5 is replaced by the following: ‘5. Without prejudice to national security and defence requirements, and Article 1(2) of Regulation (EU) 2024/2803, Member States shall ensure that: (a) the facilities referred to in point (b) of the first subparagraph of paragraph 3 of this Article that are open to public use; and (b) the ATM/ANS referred to in point (c) of the first subparagraph of paragraph 3 of this Article that are provided to air traffic to which Regulation (EU) 2024/2803 applies, offer a level of safety and interoperability with civil systems that is as effective as that resulting from the application of the essential requirements set out in Annexes VII and VIII to this Regulation.’ ; (2) in Article 3 is amended as follows: (a) point (5) is replaced by the following: ‘(5) “ATM/ANS” means air traffic management as defined in point (9) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2024/2803 and air navigation services as defined in point (5) of Article 2 of that Regulation, as well as the network functions referred to in Article 37 of that Regulation and services consisting in the origination and processing of data and in the formatting and delivering of data to general air traffic for the purpose of air navigation;’ ; (b) points (33) and (34) are replaced by the following: ‘(33) “Single European Sky airspace” means airspace above the territory to which the Treaties apply, as well as any other airspace where Member States apply Regulation (EU) 2024/2803 in accordance with Article 1(4) of that Regulation; (34) “national competent authority” means one or more entities designated by a Member State and having the necessary powers and allocated responsibilities for performing the tasks related to certification, oversight and enforcement in accordance with this Regulation and with the delegated and implementing acts adopted on the basis thereof;’ ;