2010 first-half traffic results: first signs of an upturn, despite a slight overall volume decline

Skyguide managed and monitored 555 603 civil flights in its airspace in the first six months of 2010, some 1.0% fewer than in the same period last year. June brought clear signs of an upturn in traffic levels. The volumes handled showed differing developments in the various airspace sectors. As a result, despite the overall fall in traffic volumes, skyguide suffered a deterioration in its punctuality performance.
First-half traffic trends |
Stronger peak-time demand Traffic volumes showed differing trends in the various airspace sectors under skyguide’s control. In certain sectors demand sometimes exceeded the capacity available at peak times, with a corresponding effect on punctuality. All in all, 19.3% more flights suffered delays in the first six months of 2010 than had done so in the prior-year period. The situation was exacerbated by unusually poor weather conditions which occasionally prompted further capacity reductions, and by the adoption in June of a new upper airspace structure for Eastern Switzerland. As is customary with any major new developments in the air traffic services field, capacity was initially reduced here as a safety precaution, and was only gradually restored. In the medium term, however, as a result of the new upper airspace structure, skyguide will be able to offer more capacity, and will thus be better equipped to accommodate future traffic growth without resulting delays. First positive signs are already visible. ![]() |




