Article 31 — Calculation of charges

1.       The en route charge for a given flight in a given en route charging zone shall be equal to the product of the unit rate established for that en route charging zone and the en route service units for that flight.

2.       The terminal charge for a given flight in a given terminal charging zone shall be equal to the product of the unit rate established for that terminal charging zone and the terminal service units for that flight.

For the purpose of calculating the terminal charge, the approach and departure of a flight shall count as a single flight. The unit to be counted shall be either the arriving or the departing flight.

3.       Member States shall exempt the following flights from en route charges:

(a)      flights performed by aircraft with a maximum authorised take-off weight which is less than two metric tons;

(b)     mixed VFR/IFR flights in the charging zones where they are performed exclusively under VFR and where an en route charge is not levied for VFR flights;

(c)      flights performed exclusively for the purpose of transport, on official mission, of reigning Monarchs and their immediate family, heads of state, heads of government and government ministers, where it is substantiated by the appropriate status indicator or remark on the flight plan that the flight is performed exclusively for that purpose;

(d)     search and rescue flights authorised by the appropriate competent body.

4.       Member States may exempt the following flights from en route charges:

(a)      military flights performed by aircraft of a Member State or any third country;

(b)     training flights performed solely within the airspace of the Member State concerned and exclusively for the purpose of obtaining a licence, or a rating in the case of cockpit flight crew, where it is substantiated by an appropriate remark on the flight plan that the flight is performed exclusively for that purpose;

(c)      flights performed exclusively for the purpose of checking or testing equipment used or intended to be used as ground aids to air navigation, excluding positioning flights by the aircraft concerned;

(d)     flights terminating at the airport from which the aircraft has taken off and during which no intermediate landing has been made;

(e)     VFR flights;

(f)      humanitarian flights authorised by the appropriate competent body;

(g)      customs and police flights.

5.       Member States may exempt from terminal charges the flights referred to in paragraphs 3 and 4.

6.       Member States shall cover the costs for the services that air navigation service providers have provided to flights exempted from en route charges or terminal charges in accordance with paragraph 3, 4 or 5.