MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – The major shortages in staff and flight safety systems under the EU’s Single European Sky initiative – E-000764/2025(ASW)

1. Most Member States own the designated Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs). This is also the case in Greece, where the Hellenic Aviation Service Provider (HASP) is part of the Ministry for Infrastructure, Transport and Networks. Since ANSPs are monopolistic service providers, they are subject to economic regulation. The regulation requires the setting of binding targets for the key performance areas of safety, capacity, environment and cost-efficiency. ANSPs shall put in place the necessary measures to reach these targets, including via hiring of staff and via investments. With regard to profits, as referred to by the Honourable Member, the legislation in force[1] allows for ‘a reasonable return on assets’.

2. The Single European Sky regulatory framework aims at putting in place rules that contribute to a safe, sustainable and efficient air traffic management system in the EU. Very importantly, the application of this framework is without prejudice to Member States’ sovereignty over their airspace. This sovereignty also applies to the way in which Member States coordinate operations between civil and military users, who are sharing the same airspace. In the case of larger cross-border military exercises, the Eurocontrol Network Manager — appointed by the Commission — typically offers to assist ANSPs in planning such events.

• [1] Article 29.3 of Regulation (EU) 2024/2803: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2803/oj/eng