Preparations for RP3
In its Aviation Strategy the Commission indicated its intention to review the SES performance and charging schemes ahead of the third reference period (RP3) which will start in 2020.
Since the hearing on the preparation for RP3 in December 2016, the Commission has been working on the setting up of the third Reference Period of the Single European Sky (SES) Performance and Charging Schemes. As part of this process, is the modification of the implementing acts, i.e. Regulation (EU) No 390/2013 laying down a performance scheme for air navigation services and network functions (the Performance Regulation) and Regulation (EU) No 391/2013 laying down a common charging scheme for air navigation services (the Charging Regulation).
To support the Commission in this exercise, an independent consultancy - Steer Davies Gleave (SDG) - was selected in August 2017 to conduct an external study and a targeted stakeholder consultation to assess and evaluate the impact of changes to the implementing acts.
The aim of the study was to:
- identify options for RP3 by drawing on available material (including studies from the Commission, PRB and EASA as well as stakeholders' position papers);
- perform an impact assessment of these options and assess their contribution to the objectives of the Performance and Charging Schemes for RP3; and
- provide recommendations for future development of the schemes in RP3 based on the identification of a preferred option.
The final report of this study on Impact assessment of options for RP3 is now available.
The draft legal text of the revised regulations is now finalised and the Commission inter-service consultation process has just been launched. A discussion with Member States on the legal text is planned at an ad-hoc session of the Single Sky Committee in May and at SSC69 in June with a view for the Commission to adopt the new legislation towards the autumn of this year.
Ex-post Evaluation
In accordance with the Better Regulation principles, the Commission has carried out an ex-post evaluation of the performance and charging schemes in RP1 and first year of RP2. This evaluation contributed to inform the revision of the legal framework ahead of RP3.
A stakeholder consultation took place from July to September 2016 with an open workshop on 17 November 2016. A support study was carried out from April 2016 to February 2017: Ex-post Evaluation of the Performance & Charging Schemes in RP1-2015.
A Commission Staff Working Document on the ex-post evaluation of the Single European Sky Performance and Charging Schemes in Reference Period 1 and first year of Reference Period 2 reflecting the views of the Commission services on the outputs of this evaluation is now available, together with an executive summary.
Throughout 2016, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) working group on safety (key) performance indicators carried out work on proposals for RP3. The Report of the working group was concluded in December 2016.
Union-wide target setting
A major step for preparation for the third reference period is the setting of Union-wide targets:
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See also: Commission receives recommendations on improving air traffic in Europe