(1)

Implementing Regulation (EU) No 391/2013 lays down a common charging scheme for air navigation services. The common charging scheme is an integral element in reaching the objectives of the performance scheme as established under Article 11 of Regulation (EC) No 549/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 390/2013 (4).

(2)

Commission Implementing Decision 2014/132/EU (5) sets the Union-wide performance targets, including a cost-efficiency target for en route air navigation services expressed in determined unit costs for the provision of those services, for the second reference period, which covers the years 2015 to 2019 inclusive.

(3)

Pursuant to Article 17(1)(b) and (c) of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 391/2013, the Commission is to assess the unit rates for charging zones for 2015 submitted by the Member States to the Commission by 1 June 2014 following the requirements of Article 9(1) and 9(2) of that Regulation. That assessment concerns the compliance of those unit rates with Implementing Regulations (EU) No 390/2013 and (EU) No 391/2013.

(4)

The Commission has carried out its assessment of the unit rates with the support of Eurocontrol's Performance Review Unit and Central Route Charges Office, using the data and additional information provided by the Member States by 1 June 2015 as well as the reports of national supervisory authorities on the assessment of costs exempt from the cost-sharing mechanism submitted in accordance with Article 14(2)(f) of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 391/2013. The Commission assessment also took into account the explanations given and corrections made before the consultation meeting on the unit rates for 2016 for en route services that was held on 25 and 26 June 2015 in application of Article 9(1) of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 391/2013, as well as the corrections made by Member States to the unit rates following subsequent contacts with the Commission.

(5)

On the basis of that assessment, having regard to Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/670 (6), and Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/420 (7), the Commission has found, in accordance with Article 17(1)(e) of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 391/2013, that the 2016 unit rates for charging zones of Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, are not in compliance with Implementing Regulations (EU) No 390/2013 and (EU) No 391/2013.

(6)

Article 11(1) of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 390/2013 provides that the national supervisory authorities of the Member States are to draw up performance plans containing targets consistent with the Union-wide performance targets. Pursuant to Article 11(2) and Annex IV to Implementing Regulation (EU) No 391/2013, unit rates are calculated on the basis of the en route determined costs and the forecast service units specified in the performance plan of a Member State, i.e. the en route determined unit costs. Until the performance targets of Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands are considered consistent with Union-wide targets, the unit rates calculated on their basis cannot be considered compliant with Implementing Regulations (EU) No 390/2013 and (EU) No 391/2013.

(7)

Pursuant to Article 17(1)(e) of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 391/2013, the Member States concerned should be notified of the Commission's findings.

(8)

In accordance with Article 17(1)(e) of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 391/2013, Member States shall within 1 month submit to the Commission revised unit rates,