2 Medium-term capacity planning
2.1 EUROCONTROL recommended sources
Capacity planning represents the systematic determination of resource requirements for the projected output over a specific period of time. It is a dynamic activity that relies on constantly changing data on the ATM network use, capacity forecasts, etc.
Given this, it is recommended to consult the sources below to obtain relevant up-to-date information on capacity planning.
EUROCONTROL NMD (2026), European Network Operations Plan 2026/2027-2030 [1]
The document constitutes a short- to medium-term outlook of the expected ATM network operations and performance at network and local level. It provides a detailed overview of capacity and flight efficiency enhancement measures planned at network level and by each Area Control Centre (ACC), a description of the airport performance assessment and improvement measures planned. It also describes operational actions planned to be taken by the Network Manager (NM) and other stakeholders that would respond to the performance targets set by the Performance Framework of the Single European Sky (SESII) package. Furthermore, it provides an assessment of the expected impact from these measures on the network.
EUROCONTROL NMD (2026), European Network Operations Plan 2026 Rolling Seasonal Plan [2]
The The European NOP Rolling Seasonal Plan focuses on the planning of the next eight weeks and on the management of the execution and implementation of the 5-year NOP. Its aim is to facilitate ANSP and airport planning to match traffic demand in a safe, efficient, and coordinated manner by providing them with a consolidated European network view of the evolution of air traffic. An updated version of the Plan is published every Friday, covering a rolling eight-week period and consolidating data from 350 airlines, 68 area control centres (ACCs), 55 airports and 43 States. More information about network performance (and access to dashboards and the archive) can be found on the Network Performance page.
European ATM Master Plan [3]
As part of the Single European Sky (SES), the European ATM Master Plan is the planning tool for ATM modernisation across Europe. It sets out the vision and priorities for the Digital European Sky, and for making Europe the most efficient and environmentally friendly sky to fly in the world by 2045. It provides a strategic roadmap to the ATM community with the view to modernise Europe’s air traffic management system, among other things, in a context of a growing complexity and congestion of the European airspace.
Local Single Sky ImPlementation (LSSIP) documents [4]
The Local Single Sky ImPlementation (LSSIP) documents give a comprehensive overview of all ATM information for each of the ECAC Member States. They also show the ATM capacity forecasts and planning targets from the NOP. The documents reflect progress made and detail the plans for each State for the next five to seven years. LSSIP documents, one for each State, are derived from the Master Plan Level 3 (previously known as European Single Sky Implementation (ESSIP)) objectives, and stakeholder lines of action cascade down to the States.