EU single sky program to speed up air travel

THE first steps to faster, more punctual air travel across Europe were agreed yesterday in Brussels.

An average of one in four flights is delayed for more than 15 minutes as airports operate under 1960s style systems designed for an era when flying was a rare occurrence.

Part of the problem is caused by civilian airplanes having to fly around military air space while further delays are created by pilots having to get orders from several different controllers.