The Single European Sky (SES) Performance and Charging Scheme is a regulatory framework established by the European Commission to improve the performance of air navigation services in key areas – safety, environment, capacity and cost-efficiency. The environmental dimension of the performance scheme focuses on horizontal flight efficiency, measured through specific metrics that track the additional distance aircraft fly compared to the theoretical shortest route. By minimising route inefficiencies (such as excess track distance in Irish airspace), the performance scheme seeks to reduce unnecessary fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, fostering a more efficient air traffic management system.
The SES Performance Scheme operates in multi-year Reference Periods (e.g. RP4: 2025–2029), during which performance targets (including for the environment KPI) are set and monitored for each Member State. The IAA is the competent authority for regulating AirNav Ireland, who is responsible for managing air navigation services in Ireland.
The SES Performance and Charging Scheme incorporates three environmental key performance indicators and one of these has a target applied, known as Key performance Environment indicator based on Actual trajectory (or KEA). Other performance indicators are also monitored and available via a dedicated EUROCONTROL portal. EUROCONTROL, the Performance Review Board and Network Manager all support the collection and preparation of airspace performance data, available below.
Further reading on the Single European Sky:
- European Route Network Improvement Plan: https://www.eurocontrol.int/publication/european-route-network-improvement-plan-ernip-part-2
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/317, (as amended by subsequent SES performance scheme regulations) https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02019R0317-20251102