Swiss government aviation policy and air navigation services
The Swiss Federal Council published its report on Swiss aviation policy in December 2004. Skyguide welcomes the report and the clear and concrete guidelines it lays down for Switzerland’s present and future aviation policy.
The report offers an accurate picture of the position of air navigation services within the Swiss aviation system. The intentions of the Swiss government with regard to the country’s air navigation services are fully in line with skyguide’s adopted strategies, and are already being observed and pursued.
Key statements relating to air navigation services
In its 2004 report, the Federal Council makes three key statements about Switzerland’s air navigation services:
Safety |
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“Skyguide shall ensure the maintenance, through competent quality and safety management, of exemplary standards of air navigation services, and shall maintain a strong safety culture.” (Page 72) |
Skyguide’s quality and safety management systems, which were already being established prior to the tragic accident above Überlingen, Germany in July 2002, have since been (and will continue to be) stepped up and expanded. |
Costs |
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“Structural shortcomings in the present international and national air navigation services fee-charging system should be eliminated with all possible speed. The Federal Council advocates the adoption of a fee-charging system that pays due and fair regard to the users of the various services provided.” (Page 72) |
1. the lack of any remuneration for services provided in adjacent foreign airspace (in Germany, Austria and Italy) which is delegated to skyguide’s control (the amount concerned totalled some CHF 42 million or EUR 27. 2 million in 2004) |
Efficiency |
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“The Federal Council, as the owner of the company, has approved a raft of measures which are designed to secure skyguide’s longer-term financial stability. These measures include a substantial cost reduction programme...” (Page 71) |
In a European comparison of air navigation service providers, skyguide has the highest work productivity, is among the leaders in terms of cost efficiency and pays average salaries in local purchasing power terms. The company had already effected cost reductions amounting to CHF 7 million by the end of 2004, or over 40% of the savings target to be achieved by 2007. |
Skyguide and the aviation policy: background information
- Fact sheet: Federal aviation policy and skyguide's structural revenue shortfall (PDF)
- Fact sheet: Skyguide’s revenue structure and air navigation charges (PDF)
- Financing Swiss air navigation services (Francis Schubert: Towards more rational financing of air navigation services, in Skymag 9, 2004, Page 22ff.) (PDF)
Further information on the aviation policy