How to Improve Performance and Efficiency of CNS Service Providers

The Single European Sky (SES) puts a big focus on ANS performance, including performance of communication, navigation and surveillance services, i.e. the providers of ANS/CNS services should achieve satisfactory results in line with targets. Safety must have the highest priority; however, a reasonable balance should exist in all performance areas. CNS infrastructure and service provision play a significant role for the ANSPs and hence the cost of CNS services should be managed appropriately, whilst keeping the safety level high enough. European ANSPs are highly harmonised, certain best practices of cost control and reduction already exist, and therefore experience sharing could provide hints and directions to various ANSPs and CNSPs on how to apply similar methods and practice, which could help to get more cost-effective services, with higher quality, availability and reliability. There are plenty of fruitful joint activities, such as SESAR or FABs, alliances such as COOPANS, or supporting activities such as EU funding, which resulted in implementation of operational and/or technical solutions, advanced technical systems and better performance of ANS/CNS services. Good multilateral projects could be very efficient in terms of positive impact on performance, for instance cross-border free-route airspace implementation, use of common infrastructure such as radar sharing etc. Methods could involve equipment, procedures and people, often combining them; they depend on various circumstances such as political, economic, geographical etc. The result of performance improvements should be less traffic delays or disruptions, less fuel consumption with less cost for airlines and passengers, cleaner air for citizens, safer air traffic. This paper considers the implications, benefits and limitations, by studying examples and potential proposals of CNS performance improvements, whilst assuming the European environment, although the same or similar principles could apply in most of other regions as well.