The European air transport network is an incredible achievement. Every day 28,000 flights crisscross Europe's skies, helping fuel the economy, create jobs, take people on holiday or to visit loved ones. But the network is reaching crisis point. The air traffic management system is struggling to cope. Passengers suffer around 15 million minutes of delays a year. Without reform and modernization, these problems are set to get even worse.
But if we can fix these problems, the potential benefits are enormous. An economic boost of €245 billion a year from 2035 onwards. More choice, greater flight frequency, and lower costs for everyone.
IATA has set out to change the air by partnering with the key air navigation service providers across Europe to develop National Airspace Strategies (NAS) that will help to deliver these benefits. It is a mammoth task that we hope will one day create a single European sky. Each NAS will need the input of multiple stakeholders, from the ANSPs, airports and airlines, to politicians, military authorities, regulators and local communities.
Watch the video to see more about the importance of what's at stake: