Who pays for air navigation services?

Every aviation operator using the airspace controlled by skyguide is required to pay fees for the control services utilised.

Skyguide's operations are financed almost exclusively by fees. Since skyguide is a non-profit, limited company under private law, it passes any profits earned on to its customers in the form of fee reductions. Similarly, any losses have to be compensated for by fee increases.

Approach and overflight fees
Fees are calculated based on the number of kilometres flown and the weight of the aircraft. Approach and route fees together make up over 90% of total air navigation services (ANS) income. The Swiss Air Force’s contribution accounts for around 9% of the total revenue. Between 5 and 7% of the operating costs of airline are caused by air navigation services.

Income structure ANS for 2009

MIL: Military air traffic; AC: Approach fees; RC: Route (or overflight) fees

Market Structure
Skyguide’s main customers include five airlines - SWISS, Lufthansa, EasyJet, Air France and Air Berlin PLC & Co. - which account for over 47% of its total civil revenue. The remainder comes from various other airlines, none of which contributes more than 4.5% of the total civil revenue amount.