The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says that it is concerned at the rise in air traffic control (ATC) delays in Europe.
Statistics just released reveal that, over the 1998 summer period, 22% of all flights were delayed by an average of 24min, with total ATC delays 39%higher than in the same period in 1997. If the trend continues, ATC-induced delays will once again reach the unacceptably high levels experienced in 1988/9, the association comments.
Eurocontrol says that concern over delays has pushed the subject to the top of the agenda for the scheduled 12 November meeting of its member nations.
The International Air Carrier Association, whose members serve mainly Europe's regional, low-fare and charter markets, has also weighed in, saying that it is "-greatly concerned that delays will continue to rise", reaching the unacceptable levels of 10 years ago, particularly on routes to south-eastern Europe.
The dismal statistics underscore the failure of Eurocontrol's 1998 Capacity Plan to boost ATC capacity at 17 key centres in Europe. Only six increased capacity in line with traffic growth. Greece is singled out as the worst offender, which is particularly significant for Europe as a whole because it is a major summer destination as well as being important all year round as an en route airspace provider.
Despite handling only 7% of European traffic, Greek ATC-induced delays caused 30% of overall summer delays, alleges IATA. Senior European air traffic management executives link Greece's failure to improve its capacity to severe government budgetary constraints imposed during the country's preparation to join the European monetary union. State of the art equipment is now installed at the Athens ATC centre, but it cannot be operated because of unresolved industrial issues and the fact that money has not been set aside to provide controller training.
Source: Flight International
