(1)

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/123 (2) sets out in Article 8 that the Network Manager is to establish and keep up-to-date the Network Strategy Plan. That Plan is to be endorsed by the Network Management Board and approved by the Commission after consultation of Member States.

(2)

On 27 June 2019, the Network Management Board endorsed the Network Strategy Plan for 2020-2029. That period is aligned with the relevant 5-year reference periods laid down in Article 11 of Regulation (EC) No 549/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) and covers the period of the Network Manager’s appointment. The Commission subsequently approved the Network Strategy Plan by Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/2167 (4).

(3)

Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/123 also sets out in Article 8(4) that the Network Strategy Plan is to be updated at least 12 months before the beginning of each reference period. Reference period 4 starts on 1 January 2025. It is therefore necessary to update the Network Strategy Plan in 2023.

(4)

On 22 November 2023, the Network Management Board endorsed the updated Network Strategy Plan for 2025-2029. The updated plan should replace the previous version, taking into account substantial developments affecting the European aviation network, such as the Covid crisis, the War in Ukraine, Digitalisation and the sustainability agenda of the EU (green deal).

(5)

The updated Network Strategy Plan should be approved.

(6)

With the replacement of the Network Strategy Plan, Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/2167 should be repealed.

(7)

This decision should start to apply on 1 January 2025 in order to correspond to the period of application of the updated Network Strategy Plan and the start of reference period 4 and the Network Manager’s appointment.

(8)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Single Sky Committee established by Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 549/2004,