www.aena.es

Based on current demand, forecasted air traffic for 2020 will be 2.7 times greater than for the year 2000. If appropriate measures are not taken by 2005, the problem of congestion in Europe will worsen, due especially to the lack of air space capacity and large European airports (known as hubs).

European airports must, therefore, respond to these challenges by raising quality and security expectations, improving service prices and responding to strict environmental demands. All of this in a market characterised by processes such as globalisation, liberalisation and competitiveness.

The European Aeronautics: A vision for 2020 report, published by the European Commission in 2001, outlined the objectives that airport managers must face for the year 2020:

• Security: reduce the average accident rate by five, as well as the impact from human error.
• Punctuality: 99% of all flights in any weather conditions; time spent at the airports no greater than 15 or 30 minutes.
• Passenger Choice: greater offer of flights and prices; available space, flexible seating and office facilities.
• Air Freight Services: more competitive with overland and sea transport; integrated into a continuous inter-modal freight system.
• Air Transport Price: reduction of costs by decreasing operating costs.

Infrastructures and Transport Plan

For this, Aena is developing an important airport infrastructure and air navigation plan within the Ministry of Economic Development's Infrastructures and Transport Plan.