Geneva, 2. April 2026 – The European Commission will conduct a detailed assessment of the performance plan submitted by the Swiss air navigation service provider. This step follows the recommendation of its specialist advisory body. Skyguide expects a decision to be issued in several months.
The European Commission will undertake an indepth review of Skyguide’s revised performance plan for Reference Period 4 (2025–2029). This approach is in line with the recommendation of the Performance Review Body (PRB), which supports the Commission in monitoring performance and charging schemes, with the aim of enhancing efficiency, safety, capacity, and environmental efforts across air navigation service provision.
Such a detailed analysis forms part of the standard European supervisory process. It serves to clarify outstanding questions and verify specific assumptions within the performance plan, including cost developments and traffic forecasts on which the plan is based. Local conditions that may justify deviations from established assessment criteria may also be examined during this process.
“Finding robust and viable solutions together”
In the coming weeks, Switzerland will receive a set of questions from the Commission. These points will subsequently be clarified in discussions with the relevant authorities. The European Commission intends to reach a decision on the Swiss performance plan in summer 2026.
The Commission’s decision to undertake an indepth review does not prejudge the outcome; it is neither an indication of approval nor of rejection. “The aim of this procedure is to clarify outstanding issues and to find robust and viable solutions together that take into account Switzerland’s specific circumstances,” says Skyguide CEO Peter Merz. Throughout this process, Skyguide is working closely with the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA), which represents Switzerland in its dealings with the Commission.
Skyguide’s services are vital to Switzerland’s safety, governmental capability, economy, and national sovereignty. Reliable financing is essential in ensuring the continuity of these services. Until the Commission reaches its final decision, the tariffs defined by Skyguide in the performance plan will remain in force.
Did you know?
What a Reference Period is
European air navigation services operate within multi‑year planning cycles known as Reference Periods. Each Reference Period establishes the objectives that states expect their air navigation service providers to achieve, covering safety, air traffic capacity, environmental impact, and cost efficiency. The current Reference Period, RP4, runs from 2025 to 2029. Reference Periods form part of the European performance framework under the Single European Sky. The framework is established by the European Commission, with technical recommendations provided by the independent Performance Review Body.
