(1)

Pursuant to Article 11 of Regulation (EC) No 549/2004, a performance scheme for air navigation services and network functions is to be set up. Furthermore, pursuant to Article 10 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/317, Member States are to draw up, either at national level or at the level of functional airspace blocks (‘FABs’), binding performance targets for each reference period of the performance scheme for air navigation services and network functions. Those performance targets have to be consistent with the Union-wide targets adopted by the Commission for the reference period concerned. The Commission is responsible for assessing whether the proposed performance targets contained in the draft performance plans drawn up by the Member States are consistent with the Union-wide performance targets using the assessment criteria set out in Annex IV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/317.

(2)

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has, since the first quarter of calendar year 2020, significantly impacted the air transport sector and has considerably reduced air traffic volumes as compared to pre-pandemic levels, due to the measures taken by the Member States and third countries to contain the pandemic.

(3)

Union-wide performance targets for the third reference period (‘RP3’) were originally set out in Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/903 (3). As those Union-wide performance targets and the draft RP3 performance plans subsequently submitted by the Member States were drawn up before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, they could not take account of the resulting significantly changed circumstances for air transport.

(4)

In response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the provision of air navigation services, exceptional measures for RP3, which derogate from the provisions of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/317, were set out in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1627 (4). Pursuant to Article 2(1) of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1627, the Commission adopted, on 2 June 2021, Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/891 (5) setting revised Union-wide performance targets for RP3.

(5)

The Commission notes that the Eurocontrol’s Statistics and Forecast Service (‘STATFOR’) October 2021 base traffic forecast projects that air traffic at Union-wide level will reach its pre-pandemic levels in the course of 2023 and will exceed those levels in 2024. However, the level of uncertainty regarding traffic development remains particularly high because of the risks related to the evolution of the COVID-19 epidemiological situation. The Commission also notes that the traffic recovery is expected to be uneven across Member States.

(6)

All Member States have developed and adopted draft performance plans containing revised local performance targets for RP3, which were submitted to the Commission for assessment by 1 October 2021. Following the verification of completeness of those draft performance plans, the Commission requested Member States to submit updated draft performance plans by 17 November 2021. The Commission’s assessment presented in this Decision is based on the updated draft performance plan submitted by Slovakia.

(7)

The performance review body, assisting the Commission in the implementation of the performance scheme pursuant to Article 11(2) of Regulation (EC) No 549/2004, has submitted to the Commission a report containing its advice on the assessment of RP3 draft performance plans.

(8)

In accordance with Article 14(1) of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/317, the Commission has assessed the consistency of the local performance targets proposed by Slovakia on the basis of the assessment criteria laid down in point 1 of Annex IV to that Implementing Regulation, and taking account of local circumstances. In respect of each key performance area and the related performance targets, the Commission has complemented the assessment by reviewing draft performance plans in respect of the elements set out in point 2 of Annex IV to that Implementing Regulation.

(9)

As Slovakia does not have any airport falling within the scope of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/317 in respect of RP3, there are no local performance targets for terminal air navigation services as part of its draft RP3 performance plan. Therefore, the findings contained in this Decision relate solely to en route air navigation services.

(10)

Concerning the key performance area of safety, the Commission has assessed the consistency of the targets submitted by Slovakia regarding the effectiveness of safety management of air navigation service providers based on the criterion laid down in point 1.1 of Annex IV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/317. That assessment was conducted taking account of local circumstances and was complemented by the review of measures planned for the achievement of the safety targets in respect of the elements set out in point 2.1.(a) of Annex IV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/317.

(11)

The draft performance targets in the key performance area of safety proposed by Slovakia in respect of the effectiveness of safety management, broken down per safety management objective and expressed as a level of implementation, are as follows:

(12)

In respect of the draft safety targets proposed by Slovakia for the air navigation service provider (LPS SR), the Commission observes, with regard to ‘safety promotion’, that the local performance targets meet the level of the Union-wide performance target for each calendar year from 2021 to 2024. In respect of ‘safety assurance’, the local targets are aligned with the Union-wide performance target from year 2022 onwards, whilst in the areas of ‘safety policy and objectives’ and ‘safety culture’, the Union-wide target is planned to be achieved from 2023 onwards. Finally, in respect of ‘safety risk management’, consistency with the Union-wide performance target is planned to be reached in 2024.

(13)

The Commission notes that the draft performance plan submitted by Slovakia sets out measures for LPS SR for the achievement of the local safety targets, such as activities to enhance ‘just culture’, the strengthening of emergency response procedures as well as actions concerning the training of staff in relation to safety management.

(14)

On the basis of the findings set out in recitals 12 and 13, and considering that the Union-wide safety performance targets set in Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/891 must be achieved by the final year of RP3, namely 2024, the draft targets included in the draft performance plan of Slovakia should be assessed as consistent with the Union-wide performance targets in the key performance area of safety.

(15)

Concerning the key performance area of environment, the consistency of the targets submitted by Slovakia regarding the average horizontal en route flight efficiency of the actual trajectory has been assessed based on the criterion laid down in point 1.2 of Annex IV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/317. Accordingly, the proposed targets contained in the draft performance plan of Slovakia have been compared to the relevant en route horizontal flight efficiency reference values set out in the European Route Network Improvement Plan (‘ERNIP’) available at the time of adopting the revised Union-wide performance targets for RP3, that is on 2 June 2021. That assessment was conducted taking account of local circumstances and was complemented by the review of measures planned for the achievement of the environment targets under point 2.1(a) of Annex IV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/317.

(16)

In respect of the calendar year 2020, the Union-wide performance target for RP3 in the key performance area of environment, which was initially set out in Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/903, was not revised by Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/891, considering that the time period for the application of that target had expired and that its implementation had thus become definitive leaving no possibility for retroactive adjustments. Accordingly, Member States were not requested to revise, in the draft performance plans submitted by 1 October 2021, their local performance targets for calendar year 2020 in the key performance area of environment. Therefore, the consistency of the local environment performance targets with the corresponding Union-wide performance targets should be assessed with regard to calendar years 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

(17)

The draft performance targets in the key performance area of environment proposed by Slovakia and the corresponding national reference values for RP3 from the ERNIP, expressed as the average horizontal en route flight efficiency of the actual trajectory, are as follows:

(18)

The Commission observes that the draft environment targets proposed by Slovakia are equal to the corresponding national reference values for each calendar year from 2021 to 2024.

(19)

In respect of point 2.1(a) of Annex IV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/317, the Commission notes that Slovakia has presented in the draft performance plan several measures for the achievement of the local environment targets which include further progress in the implementation of South East Europe Free Route Airspace (SEE FRA), increased cross-border collaboration, and the re-sectorisation of the airspace of the Bratislava Area Control Centre.

(20)

Furthermore, the Commission observes that Slovakia has already implemented 24-hour free route airspace.

(21)

On the basis of the findings set out in recitals 18 to 20, the draft targets included in the draft performance plan of Slovakia should be assessed as consistent with the Union-wide performance targets in the key performance area of environment.

(22)

Concerning the key performance area of capacity, the consistency of the targets submitted by Slovakia regarding the average en route air traffic flow management (‘ATFM’) delay per flight has been assessed based on the criterion laid down in point 1.3 of Annex IV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/317. Accordingly, the proposed targets contained in the draft performance plan of Slovakia have been compared to the relevant reference values set out in the Network Operations Plan available at the time of adopting the revised Union-wide performance targets for RP3, that is on 2 June 2021. That assessment was conducted taking account of local circumstances and was complemented by the review of measures planned for achievement of the capacity targets under point 2.1(a) of Annex IV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/317.

(23)

In respect of the calendar year 2020, the Union-wide performance target for RP3 in the key performance area of capacity, which was initially set out in Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/903, was not revised by Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/891, considering that the time period for the application of that target had expired and that its implementation had thus become definitive leaving no possibility for retroactive adjustments. Accordingly, Member States were not requested to revise, in the draft performance plans submitted by 1 October 2021, their local performance targets for calendar year 2020 in the key performance area of capacity. Therefore, the consistency of the local capacity performance targets with the corresponding Union-wide performance targets should be assessed with regard to calendar years 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

(24)

The draft en route capacity targets proposed by Slovakia for RP3, expressed in minutes of ATFM delay per flight, as well as the corresponding reference values from the Network Operations Plan are as follows:

(25)

The Commission observes that the draft capacity targets proposed by Slovakia are equal to the corresponding national reference values for each calendar year from 2021 to 2024.

(26)

In respect of point 2.1(a) of Annex IV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/317, the Commission notes that Slovakia has presented in the draft performance plan a range of measures for the achievement of the local en route capacity targets. Those measures include an air traffic management (ATM) system upgrade, the implementation of air-ground datalink, the re-evaluation and increase of sector capacity, participation in the SEE FRA project, improved air traffic flow and capacity management techniques, as well increased recruitment of air traffic controllers (ATCOs) resulting in an overall increase in ATCO FTEs by the end of RP3.

(27)

On the basis of the findings set out in recitals 25 and 26, the draft targets included in the draft performance plan of Slovakia should be assessed as consistent with the Union-wide performance targets in the key performance area of capacity.

(28)

Concerning the key performance area of cost-efficiency, the consistency of the targets submitted by Slovakia regarding the determined unit cost (‘DUC’) for en route air navigation services has been assessed based on the criteria laid down in points 1.4(a), (b) and (c) of Annex IV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/317. Those criteria consist of the DUC trend over RP3, the long-term DUC trend over the second reference period (‘RP2’) and RP3 (2015-2024), and the baseline value for the DUC at charging zone level compared with the average value of the charging zones where air navigation service providers have a similar operational and economic environment.

(29)

The assessment of en route cost efficiency targets was conducted taking account of local circumstances. It was complemented by the review of the key factors and parameters underpinning those targets as specified in point 2.1(d) of Annex IV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/317.

(30)

The draft en route cost-efficiency targets proposed by Slovakia for RP3 are as follows:

(31)

Concerning the criterion laid down in point 1.4(a) of Annex IV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/317, the Commission observes that the en route DUC trend of Slovakia at charging zone level of +2,4 % per year over RP3 underperforms the Union-wide trend of +1,0 % over the same period.

(32)

Concerning the criterion laid down in point 1.4(b) of Annex IV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/317, the Commission observes that the long-term en route DUC trend of Slovakia at charging zone level over RP2 and RP3 of -1,1 % per year underperforms the long-term Union-wide trend of -1,3 % over the same period.

(33)

It should be taken into account, however, when comparing the local and Union-wide DUC trends referred to in recitals 31 and 32, that the en route traffic growth forecasted by Eurocontrol STATFOR for Slovakia over RP3 is foreseen to be significantly lower than the average traffic growth at Union-wide level. This renders it more challenging for Slovakia to meet the said Union-wide DUC trends.

(34)

Concerning the criterion laid down in point 1.4(c) of Annex IV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/317, the Commission observes that the baseline value for the DUC of EUR 47,18 of Slovakia in EUR2017 is 23,5 % higher than the average baseline value of EUR 38,19 in real terms at 2017 prices (‘EUR2017’) of the relevant comparator group. The Commission notes that that difference becomes even larger during RP3, as the determined en route unit cost of Slovakia for 2024 is higher by 28,9 % than the average of the comparator group.

(35)

The Commission has further examined whether the deviations observed in recitals 31, 32 and 34 could be deemed necessary and proportionate under point 1.4(d) of Annex IV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/317, provided that the observed deviations from the Union-wide DUC trend and from the long-term Union-wide DUC trend are exclusively due to additional determined costs related to measures necessary to achieve the performance targets in the key performance area of capacity or to restructuring measures within the meaning of Article 2(18) of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/317.

(36)

In respect of the criterion specified under point 1.4(d)(i) of Annex IV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/317, the Commission observes that Slovakia has presented in its draft performance plan measures and investments to be implemented by the air navigation service provider, namely LPS SR, for the purpose of achieving the local capacity targets.

(37)

Slovakia plans, in particular, a notable increase in the number of full-time equivalent ATCOs in operations by the end of RP3. As explained by Slovakia, LPS SR had to make extensive use of ATCO overtime hours in order to accommodate traffic demand in the pre-COVID circumstances. It is understandable that this would not be sustainable in the longer term either operationally or financially, and that LPS SR therefore plans to pursue the recruitment and training of additional ATCOs in order to cater for the forecasted future traffic demand. A further enhancement of capacity is foreseen through upgrades of the ATM system, including the implementation of the air-ground datalink functionality and the introduction of a ‘complexity tool’ enabling a more advanced management of air traffic control capacity.

(38)

Based on the detailed analysis by the performance review body, the Commission considers that the relevant measures outlined by Slovakia in the draft performance plan are indeed necessary to achieve the local capacity targets. Furthermore, having regard to the evaluation made by the performance review body, it can be concluded that the additional costs of those measures are larger than the deviations from the Union-wide DUC trend and from the long-term Union-wide DUC trend referred to in recitals 31 and 32.

(39)

In light of the considerations in recitals 36 to 38, the Commission therefore finds that the criterion set out in point 1.4(d)(i) is fulfilled in respect of Slovakia.

(40)

It follows from the foregoing observations that it is not necessary to further examine whether the criterion set out under point 1.4(d)(ii) would be fulfilled with regard to Slovakia.

(41)

On the basis of the findings set out in recitals 28 to 40, the draft targets included in the draft performance plan of Slovakia should be assessed as consistent with the Union-wide performance targets in the key performance area of cost-efficiency.

(42)

On the basis of the assessment set out in recitals 10 to 41, the Commission has found that the performance targets contained in the draft performance plan submitted by Slovakia are consistent with the Union-wide performance targets.

(43)

The Commission notes that some Member States have indicated their intention to include cost items relating to airport drone detection in their RP3 cost bases. It has not been possible to precisely establish, based on the elements contained in the draft performance plans, to what extent Member States have included such determined costs in their RP3 cost bases and, where such costs have been included, to what extent they are incurred in relation to the provision of air navigation services and could thus be deemed eligible under the performance and charging scheme. The Commission services have sent an ad hoc information request to all Member States in order to gather relevant information, and will further examine the reported airport drone detection costs in the context of unit rate compliance verification. This Decision is without prejudice to the findings and conclusions of the Commission on the topic of drone detection costs.

(44)

In response to Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, which started on 24 February 2022, the Union has adopted restrictive measures prohibiting Russian air carriers, any Russian-registered aircraft and any non-Russian-registered aircraft which is owned or chartered, or otherwise controlled by any Russian natural or legal person, entity or body from landing in, taking off from, or overflying the territory of the Union. Those measures are leading to a reduced air traffic in the airspace over the territory of the Union. The impact at the Union-wide level should however not be comparable to the reduction of air traffic which resulted from the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Therefore, it is appropriate to maintain the existing measures and processes for the implementation of the performance and charging scheme in RP3,