Europe’s air navigation service providers (ANSPs) successfully reduced delays this summer despite handling near-record traffic levels. From 1 June to 31 August, average daily flights reached 35,122 (+3% vs 2024, +1% vs 2019), while ATFM delays fell by 27%, down to 3.9 minutes per flight.
Capacity- and staffing-related delays each dropped by 25%, thanks to better sector management, rostering, weather procedures, and stakeholder coordination.
The results were achieved despite restricted airspace due to the war in Ukraine and uneven traffic growth exceeding +20% in parts of Southern Europe. As a result, 71% of flights arrived within 15 minutes of schedule, improving from 66% in summer 2024 and offering millions of passengers a smoother travel experience.
CANSO Europe says members will analyse the data to build on this progress for summer 2026.