CANSO statement – European ANSPs continue to improve summer performance

CANSO and its members welcome the figures published today which confirm that flight delays in Europe decreased this summer, even though the air navigation services providers (ANSPs) managed growing levels of traffic. According to EUROCONTROL, flight numbers increased by 2.4 per cent across the European network for the period June-August, with a daily average of nearly 36,000 flights, while delays attributable to air traffic management (ATM) fell by 17 per cent. This was despite a challenging operating environment due to geopolitical uncertainty, adverse weather, the impact of wildfires and traffic records reached in many parts of the network.

This improved performance continues the positive trend that was already recorded last summer. It can be attributed to the close collaboration between the different operational stakeholders – ANSPs, airlines, airports and the Network Manager – but also to preparatory measures taken by European ANSPs, including staff rostering, improved airspace organisation and greater use of digital tools to support decision-making. EUROCONTROL now expects that total en-route ATM flight delays for the whole of 2026 will be 20 per cent lower compared to 2025, with the majority of ANSPs on track to reach the very ambitious EU-wide performance targets for provision of airspace capacity.

Enrico Parini, Director Europe Affairs, CANSO, said: “For the second consecutive summer, European ANSPs have significantly contributed to a better travel experience for millions of air passengers. Europe’s skies are busier and more complex than ever, but even with a record level of flights, the good news is that delays are down. While there is still work to do, all the aviation partners can continue this positive evolution by working closely together to manage the greater flight numbers expected in the years ahead.”