The existing en-route charging scheme, which collects charges proportional to the costs of providing en-route Air Navigation Services (ANS) from airspace users (AU), does not take into account environmental considerations. Not only does it fail to incentivise environmentally friendly practices, but practical observations actually show flight inefficiencies resulting from the route charging scheme itself (e.g., detours due to unit rate differences).

About the solution 
The Green route charging (Green RC) Solution makes use of the fact that the current charging scheme allows for the modulation of charges to incentivise desired behaviours; it introduces a scalable, two-step implementation process designed to modulate en-route charges. Initially, it focuses on reducing CO2 emissions and alleviating congestion by adjusting charges to promote efficient and eco-friendly flight paths. Ultimately, it aims to address the impacts of non-CO2 emissions as well.

Standardisation and regulatary aspects
The approach is in line with general ICAO principles (Doc 9082) which allow the modulation of charges, even if, in practice, no State has yet implemented this mechanism. It would be beneficial to consider regulatory changes concerning the Commission Implementing Regulations, with a view to specifying and harmonising the applicability conditions, in particular for non-CO2  impacts.

BENEFITS 
Green RC has the potential to enhance flight environmental efficiency by encouraging sustainable trajectory planning, and by eliminating route inefficiencies due to current air navigation services (ANS) charging. It maintains revenue neutrality for ANSPs and overall cost neutrality for airspace users by recalibrating charges, and adheres to ICAO guidelines on gradual and modulated changes.