According to EuroControl, by 2035, around two million flights will be lost due to the airport congestion in Europe. Twenty European airports will face similar levels of congestion to those currently experienced at Heathrow Airport.
Some of the busiest airports are already operating at full capacity. Many still have free slots during off-peak hours, but face severe levels of congestion in the early morning or late afternoon. Because of this, capacity constraints cause delaysThe main reasons for cancellations, unreliability and even cancellations when unforeseen events occur.
The current chronic indecision is undermining Europe's air transport, and thus its economy.
Although the data are not flattering, little has been done to improve them. The challenges The challenges facing advocates of airport expansion in Europe are daunting. For example, Dublin airport cancelled the construction of the second runway when the crisis hit. The new Nantes airport remains a battleground of French politics and neighbouring communities. In 2010, Portugal's Prime Minister stalled the construction of Lisbon's Novo Aeroporto.
The case of the South East England region is a paradigm. It is one of the regions with the most connections to the rest of the world. Moreover, the Heathrow hub's dominant position is maintained - so far - without being threatened by any other European hub. However, the saturation of its tracks is just around the corner. This fact is well known to all actors in the sector.
Meanwhile, politicians have been debating, discussing, examining, analysing, studying and delaying every airport expansion project for decades. Various commissions have written countless papers and reports recommending the construction of new runways here and there. There have even been proposals for an airport in the Thames Estuary (Boris Island). So far, none of these projects have become reality. There is always an election on the horizon and, consequently, the new runway in the South East of England remains on the to-do list.
European air transport needs decisions. Decision-making is crucial, decisions can cause problems or even provoke criticism; however, current chronic indecision is undermining air transport in Europe, and thus their economy. Football players know that you only score a goal when you shoot the ball at goal. If you don't dare, the best thing to do is to sit in the stands... and watch.
