Is European benchmarking methodology favouring a narrow segment of air navigation service providers?

This paper looks at the calculation of composite flight hours used input to performance benchmarking of European air navigation service providers. The way the en-route part of the composite flight hours is obtained, potentially rewards busy air navigation service providers serving larger airports with additional composite flight hours, thus making them more productive and financially cost-efficient. We also examine the financial effect of the methodology and link it to economic cost-effectiveness.

► The current benchmarking methodology used by EUROCONTROL is bias. ► The way composite flight hours are specified influences benchmarking results. ► ANSPs with more delays from airborne holdings or other delaying actions appear more productive than those with no such delays.