Regulation · Cross-reference

The same eight limits, four different answers

ATS.OR.320 tells every EASA-regulated air traffic control service provider to specify eight numeric rostering limits. It does not say what the numbers should be. This page sets out what each instrument actually says about each one, article by article, plus what a 2023 EASA survey of 36 ATSPs found providers running in practice.

The article itself, verbatim, with the rule each element becomes inside SkyRoster, is at ATS.OR.320, the article that specifies what a rostering system must control. This page exists to answer a different question: where the number comes from when it isn't in EU law.

The comparison

Eight elements, five sources

Read each row left to right. Where an instrument sets no number, the cell says so instead of being left blank. Every remaining figure carries the document and the article, section or table it came from.

Element	EU requirement (ATS.OR.320)	ICAO guidance	UK CAA position	EASA observed average, 2023	EUROCONTROL good-practice guideline
Element 1Maximum consecutive working days with duty	No numeric limit set. The provider must specify its own value. ATS.OR.320(a)(1), Regulation (EU) 2017/373, Annex IV Part-ATS	No numeric limit in the standard. Guidance figures reported elsewhere: ≤6 days (Doc 9966) · ≤5 days (ICAO ESAF, 2016). ICAO Annex 11 (15th ed., July 2018), Appendix 5, §1(a)(ii); guidance figures as reported in EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, pp.9–10	≤6 consecutive days, or duty totalling 50 hours within 6 days, whichever comes first. EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, p.11 (UK CAA Guidance / SRATCOH column); CAA Policy Statement, 2 Sept 2021, §2.4–2.5	5.9 (SD 1.4) ACC · 5.8 (SD 1.7) Aerodrome days EASA, Study on the Analysis, Prevention and Management of Air Traffic Controller Fatigue (D-4.C.1), May 2024, Table 2-1, p.25	≤5 days with no extra constraint, or a maximum 6 consecutive days followed by 54 hours of rest (two consecutive nights, no early-morning start). EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, §4.1, p.17
Element 2Maximum hours per duty period	No numeric limit set. The provider must specify its own value. ATS.OR.320(a)(2), Regulation (EU) 2017/373, Annex IV Part-ATS	No numeric limit in the standard. Guidance figures reported elsewhere: ≤12 hours (Doc 9966) · ≤8 hours including rest (ICAO's 2001 Manual for a Professional Career for ATCOs) · ≤8 hours, extendable to 12 with a documented safety risk assessment (ICAO ESAF, 2016). ICAO Annex 11 (15th ed.), Appendix 5, §1(a)(i); guidance figures as reported in EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, pp.9–10	≤10 hours generally; a duty period classed as a ‘morning’ duty is capped at 8½ hours. EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, pp.10–11	9.2 (SD 3.0) ACC · 10.5 (SD 2.7) Aerodrome hours EASA, Study on the Analysis, Prevention and Management of Air Traffic Controller Fatigue (D-4.C.1), May 2024, Table 2-1, p.25	Should not exceed 8 hours of operational time. Beyond 8 hours, a safety risk assessment is required; the duty period must never exceed 12 hours. EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, §4.2, p.17
Element 3Maximum time providing ATC service without breaks	No numeric limit set. The provider must specify its own value. ATS.OR.320(a)(3), Regulation (EU) 2017/373, Annex IV Part-ATS	No numeric limit in the standard (closest category: time-in-position). Guidance figures reported elsewhere: ≤2 hours, break ≥30 minutes (Doc 9966) · ≤2 hours, 90 minutes in a radar environment (ICAO 2001 Guide) · 2 hours, extendable to 3 in sustained low traffic (ICAO ESAF, 2016). ICAO Annex 11 (15th ed.), Appendix 5, §1(a)(iv); guidance figures as reported in EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, pp.9–10	≤2 hours generally; extendable to 4 hours at low-workload units; capped at 1.5 hours for an early-start duty commencing before 06:00. EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, pp.12–13	90 (SD 38) ACC · 154 (SD 89) Aerodrome minutes EASA, Study on the Analysis, Prevention and Management of Air Traffic Controller Fatigue (D-4.C.1), May 2024, Table 2-1, p.25	2 hours for surveillance ATC; extendable to 3 hours in sustained low traffic; up to 4 hours for non-surveillance towers with low complexity. EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, §4.3, p.18
Element 4Ratio of duty periods to breaks	No numeric limit set. The provider must specify its own value. ATS.OR.320(a)(4), Regulation (EU) 2017/373, Annex IV Part-ATS	No dedicated category in the standard (closest: minimum break duration between time-in-position periods). Guidance figures reported elsewhere: break ≥30 minutes, ≥1 hour for meals (Doc 9966 / ICAO 2001 Guide) · ≥30-minute minimum break (ICAO ESAF, 2016). ICAO Annex 11 (15th ed.), Appendix 5, §1(b)(iii); guidance figures as reported in EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, pp.9–10	A 1:4 ratio, for example, a 15-minute break for one hour of operational duty. EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, p.14	0.69 (SD 0.10) ACC · 0.72 (SD 0.10) Aerodrome ratio EASA does not define this ratio the same way the UK expresses its 1:4 figure. Read it as orientation, not a like-for-like comparison. EASA, Study on the Analysis, Prevention and Management of Air Traffic Controller Fatigue (D-4.C.1), May 2024, Table 2-1, p.25	No fixed ratio beyond the 30-minute minimum break. The guideline argues the right ratio depends on the length of the duty period, not one universal number. EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, §4.4, p.19
Element 5Minimum rest periods	No numeric limit set in ATS.OR.320 itself. The general EU Working Time Directive sets an economy-wide floor of 11 consecutive hours of daily rest for all workers, ATC included. ATS.OR.320(a)(5), Regulation (EU) 2017/373; Directive 2003/88/EC, as summarised in EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, §3.2, p.8	No numeric limit in the standard. Guidance figures reported elsewhere: ≥12 hours between duty periods (Doc 9966 / ICAO 2001 Guide) · average 11 hours (ICAO ESAF, 2016). ICAO Annex 11 (15th ed.), Appendix 5, §1(b)(i); guidance figures as reported in EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, pp.9–10	No SRATCOH-derived figure found in the sources reviewed for this page. The CAA's own AMC/GM (ORS9 Decision) sets a value; it is not reproduced in the policy statement itself. CAA Policy Statement on ATCOs’ Rostering System(s), 2 September 2021, §2.5, §3.1	11.6 (SD 5.3) ACC · 12.0 (SD 5.1) Aerodrome hours EASA, Study on the Analysis, Prevention and Management of Air Traffic Controller Fatigue (D-4.C.1), May 2024, Table 2-1, p.25	11 hours (8 hours of sleep plus 3 hours for commuting, eating and preparing for sleep); never less than the length of the preceding duty period, and never less than 8 hours. EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, §4.5, p.20
Element 6Maximum consecutive duty periods encroaching the night time	No numeric limit set. AMC1 ATS.OR.320(a)(6);(7) fixes ‘night time’ as midnight to 05:59 for this element and the next. ATS.OR.320(a)(6), Regulation (EU) 2017/373; AMC1 ATS.OR.320(a)(6);(7)	No dedicated numeric category in the standard. Guidance figures reported elsewhere: ≤3 consecutive night-covering duties (Doc 9966) · consecutive night shifts ‘not recommended’ (ICAO 2001 Guide) · ≤2, followed by 48 hours of rest (ICAO ESAF, 2016). Doc 9966's own night-time window, as reported by EUROCONTROL, is 18:00–06:00, four hours wider than EASA's. Guidance figures and the 18:00–06:00 definition as reported in EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, pp.9–10 and its footnote 4, p.8	No SRATCOH-derived figure found in the sources reviewed for this page. CAA Policy Statement on ATCOs’ Rostering System(s), 2 September 2021	2.3 (SD 1.0) ACC · 2.9 (SD 1.2) Aerodrome days EASA, Study on the Analysis, Prevention and Management of Air Traffic Controller Fatigue (D-4.C.1), May 2024, Table 2-1, p.25	≤2 consecutive duties encroaching the night period (00:00–06:00, EASA's definition), followed by at least 48 hours of rest by the end of the second one. EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, §4.6, p.20
Element 7Minimum rest period after a duty period encroaching the night time	No numeric limit set. The provider must specify its own value. ATS.OR.320(a)(7), Regulation (EU) 2017/373, Annex IV Part-ATS	No dedicated numeric category (the general non-duty minimum applies). Guidance figures reported elsewhere: ≥54 hours after the maximum run of night-covering duties (Doc 9966) · ≥30 hours after a night shift (ICAO 2001 Guide) · ≥48 hours after 2 encroaching duties, plus a day off (ICAO ESAF, 2016). ICAO Annex 11 (15th ed.), Appendix 5, §1(b)(i); guidance figures as reported in EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, pp.9–10	No SRATCOH-derived figure found in the sources reviewed for this page. CAA Policy Statement on ATCOs’ Rostering System(s), 2 September 2021	22.5 (SD 19.5) ACC · 17.8 (SD 15.5) Aerodrome hours The standard deviation on the ACC figure is nearly as large as the average itself. EASA, Study on the Analysis, Prevention and Management of Air Traffic Controller Fatigue (D-4.C.1), May 2024, Table 2-1, p.25	Graduated by cycle position: after 1 night shift inside a duty cycle, at least 1 night free of duty; after a night shift that ends a cycle, or after 2 consecutive night shifts, at least 2 nights free of duty. EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, §4.7, p.20
Element 8Minimum number of rest periods within a roster cycle	No numeric limit set. The provider must specify its own value. ATS.OR.320(a)(8), Regulation (EU) 2017/373, Annex IV Part-ATS	No dedicated numeric category (closest: minimum non-duty days required in a defined period). Guidance figures reported elsewhere: ≥2 sets of 2 or more consecutive days off per cycle, 3 sets recommended (ICAO ESAF, 2016, and EUROCONTROL's cited 2006 Shift-work Practices Study). ICAO Annex 11 (15th ed.), Appendix 5, §1(b)(ii); guidance figures as reported in EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, pp.9–10, p.16	No SRATCOH-derived figure found in the sources reviewed for this page. CAA Policy Statement on ATCOs’ Rostering System(s), 2 September 2021	3.7 (SD 2.0) ACC · 3.7 (SD 4.5) Aerodrome rest periods EASA, Study on the Analysis, Prevention and Management of Air Traffic Controller Fatigue (D-4.C.1), May 2024, Table 2-1, p.25	At least 2 sets of 2 or more consecutive days off per month, 3 sets recommended; a full weekend embedded in the cycle where possible. EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, §4.8, p.22

Element

EU requirement (ATS.OR.320)

ICAO guidance

UK CAA position

EASA observed average, 2023

EUROCONTROL good-practice guideline

Element 1Maximum consecutive working days with duty

No numeric limit set. The provider must specify its own value.

ATS.OR.320(a)(1), Regulation (EU) 2017/373, Annex IV Part-ATS

No numeric limit in the standard. Guidance figures reported elsewhere: ≤6 days (Doc 9966) · ≤5 days (ICAO ESAF, 2016).

ICAO Annex 11 (15th ed., July 2018), Appendix 5, §1(a)(ii); guidance figures as reported in EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, pp.9–10

≤6 consecutive days, or duty totalling 50 hours within 6 days, whichever comes first.

EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, p.11 (UK CAA Guidance / SRATCOH column); CAA Policy Statement, 2 Sept 2021, §2.4–2.5

5.9 (SD 1.4) ACC · 5.8 (SD 1.7) Aerodrome days

EASA, Study on the Analysis, Prevention and Management of Air Traffic Controller Fatigue (D-4.C.1), May 2024, Table 2-1, p.25

≤5 days with no extra constraint, or a maximum 6 consecutive days followed by 54 hours of rest (two consecutive nights, no early-morning start).

EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, §4.1, p.17

Element 2Maximum hours per duty period

No numeric limit set. The provider must specify its own value.

ATS.OR.320(a)(2), Regulation (EU) 2017/373, Annex IV Part-ATS

No numeric limit in the standard. Guidance figures reported elsewhere: ≤12 hours (Doc 9966) · ≤8 hours including rest (ICAO's 2001 Manual for a Professional Career for ATCOs) · ≤8 hours, extendable to 12 with a documented safety risk assessment (ICAO ESAF, 2016).

ICAO Annex 11 (15th ed.), Appendix 5, §1(a)(i); guidance figures as reported in EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, pp.9–10

≤10 hours generally; a duty period classed as a ‘morning’ duty is capped at 8½ hours.

EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, pp.10–11

9.2 (SD 3.0) ACC · 10.5 (SD 2.7) Aerodrome hours

EASA, Study on the Analysis, Prevention and Management of Air Traffic Controller Fatigue (D-4.C.1), May 2024, Table 2-1, p.25

Should not exceed 8 hours of operational time. Beyond 8 hours, a safety risk assessment is required; the duty period must never exceed 12 hours.

EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, §4.2, p.17

Element 3Maximum time providing ATC service without breaks

No numeric limit set. The provider must specify its own value.

ATS.OR.320(a)(3), Regulation (EU) 2017/373, Annex IV Part-ATS

No numeric limit in the standard (closest category: time-in-position). Guidance figures reported elsewhere: ≤2 hours, break ≥30 minutes (Doc 9966) · ≤2 hours, 90 minutes in a radar environment (ICAO 2001 Guide) · 2 hours, extendable to 3 in sustained low traffic (ICAO ESAF, 2016).

ICAO Annex 11 (15th ed.), Appendix 5, §1(a)(iv); guidance figures as reported in EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, pp.9–10

≤2 hours generally; extendable to 4 hours at low-workload units; capped at 1.5 hours for an early-start duty commencing before 06:00.

EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, pp.12–13

90 (SD 38) ACC · 154 (SD 89) Aerodrome minutes

EASA, Study on the Analysis, Prevention and Management of Air Traffic Controller Fatigue (D-4.C.1), May 2024, Table 2-1, p.25

2 hours for surveillance ATC; extendable to 3 hours in sustained low traffic; up to 4 hours for non-surveillance towers with low complexity.

EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, §4.3, p.18

Element 4Ratio of duty periods to breaks

No numeric limit set. The provider must specify its own value.

ATS.OR.320(a)(4), Regulation (EU) 2017/373, Annex IV Part-ATS

No dedicated category in the standard (closest: minimum break duration between time-in-position periods). Guidance figures reported elsewhere: break ≥30 minutes, ≥1 hour for meals (Doc 9966 / ICAO 2001 Guide) · ≥30-minute minimum break (ICAO ESAF, 2016).

ICAO Annex 11 (15th ed.), Appendix 5, §1(b)(iii); guidance figures as reported in EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, pp.9–10

A 1:4 ratio, for example, a 15-minute break for one hour of operational duty.

EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, p.14

0.69 (SD 0.10) ACC · 0.72 (SD 0.10) Aerodrome ratio

EASA does not define this ratio the same way the UK expresses its 1:4 figure. Read it as orientation, not a like-for-like comparison.

EASA, Study on the Analysis, Prevention and Management of Air Traffic Controller Fatigue (D-4.C.1), May 2024, Table 2-1, p.25

No fixed ratio beyond the 30-minute minimum break. The guideline argues the right ratio depends on the length of the duty period, not one universal number.

EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, §4.4, p.19

Element 5Minimum rest periods

No numeric limit set in ATS.OR.320 itself. The general EU Working Time Directive sets an economy-wide floor of 11 consecutive hours of daily rest for all workers, ATC included.

ATS.OR.320(a)(5), Regulation (EU) 2017/373; Directive 2003/88/EC, as summarised in EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, §3.2, p.8

No numeric limit in the standard. Guidance figures reported elsewhere: ≥12 hours between duty periods (Doc 9966 / ICAO 2001 Guide) · average 11 hours (ICAO ESAF, 2016).

ICAO Annex 11 (15th ed.), Appendix 5, §1(b)(i); guidance figures as reported in EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, pp.9–10

No SRATCOH-derived figure found in the sources reviewed for this page. The CAA's own AMC/GM (ORS9 Decision) sets a value; it is not reproduced in the policy statement itself.

CAA Policy Statement on ATCOs’ Rostering System(s), 2 September 2021, §2.5, §3.1

11.6 (SD 5.3) ACC · 12.0 (SD 5.1) Aerodrome hours

EASA, Study on the Analysis, Prevention and Management of Air Traffic Controller Fatigue (D-4.C.1), May 2024, Table 2-1, p.25

11 hours (8 hours of sleep plus 3 hours for commuting, eating and preparing for sleep); never less than the length of the preceding duty period, and never less than 8 hours.

EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, §4.5, p.20

Element 6Maximum consecutive duty periods encroaching the night time

No numeric limit set. AMC1 ATS.OR.320(a)(6);(7) fixes ‘night time’ as midnight to 05:59 for this element and the next.

ATS.OR.320(a)(6), Regulation (EU) 2017/373; AMC1 ATS.OR.320(a)(6);(7)

No dedicated numeric category in the standard. Guidance figures reported elsewhere: ≤3 consecutive night-covering duties (Doc 9966) · consecutive night shifts ‘not recommended’ (ICAO 2001 Guide) · ≤2, followed by 48 hours of rest (ICAO ESAF, 2016). Doc 9966's own night-time window, as reported by EUROCONTROL, is 18:00–06:00, four hours wider than EASA's.

Guidance figures and the 18:00–06:00 definition as reported in EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, pp.9–10 and its footnote 4, p.8

No SRATCOH-derived figure found in the sources reviewed for this page.

CAA Policy Statement on ATCOs’ Rostering System(s), 2 September 2021

2.3 (SD 1.0) ACC · 2.9 (SD 1.2) Aerodrome days

EASA, Study on the Analysis, Prevention and Management of Air Traffic Controller Fatigue (D-4.C.1), May 2024, Table 2-1, p.25

≤2 consecutive duties encroaching the night period (00:00–06:00, EASA's definition), followed by at least 48 hours of rest by the end of the second one.

EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, §4.6, p.20

Element 7Minimum rest period after a duty period encroaching the night time

No numeric limit set. The provider must specify its own value.

ATS.OR.320(a)(7), Regulation (EU) 2017/373, Annex IV Part-ATS

No dedicated numeric category (the general non-duty minimum applies). Guidance figures reported elsewhere: ≥54 hours after the maximum run of night-covering duties (Doc 9966) · ≥30 hours after a night shift (ICAO 2001 Guide) · ≥48 hours after 2 encroaching duties, plus a day off (ICAO ESAF, 2016).

No SRATCOH-derived figure found in the sources reviewed for this page.

CAA Policy Statement on ATCOs’ Rostering System(s), 2 September 2021

22.5 (SD 19.5) ACC · 17.8 (SD 15.5) Aerodrome hours

The standard deviation on the ACC figure is nearly as large as the average itself.

EASA, Study on the Analysis, Prevention and Management of Air Traffic Controller Fatigue (D-4.C.1), May 2024, Table 2-1, p.25

Graduated by cycle position: after 1 night shift inside a duty cycle, at least 1 night free of duty; after a night shift that ends a cycle, or after 2 consecutive night shifts, at least 2 nights free of duty.

EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, §4.7, p.20

Element 8Minimum number of rest periods within a roster cycle

No numeric limit set. The provider must specify its own value.

ATS.OR.320(a)(8), Regulation (EU) 2017/373, Annex IV Part-ATS

No dedicated numeric category (closest: minimum non-duty days required in a defined period). Guidance figures reported elsewhere: ≥2 sets of 2 or more consecutive days off per cycle, 3 sets recommended (ICAO ESAF, 2016, and EUROCONTROL's cited 2006 Shift-work Practices Study).

ICAO Annex 11 (15th ed.), Appendix 5, §1(b)(ii); guidance figures as reported in EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, pp.9–10, p.16

No SRATCOH-derived figure found in the sources reviewed for this page.

CAA Policy Statement on ATCOs’ Rostering System(s), 2 September 2021

3.7 (SD 2.0) ACC · 3.7 (SD 4.5) Aerodrome rest periods

EASA, Study on the Analysis, Prevention and Management of Air Traffic Controller Fatigue (D-4.C.1), May 2024, Table 2-1, p.25

At least 2 sets of 2 or more consecutive days off per month, 3 sets recommended; a full weekend embedded in the cycle where possible.

EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, §4.8, p.22

Why the numbers differ

Four reasons no two columns match

The regulator hands the number downward, twice

ICAO's Annex 11 tells states to establish "regulations that prescribe scheduling limits" ICAO Annex 11 (15th ed.), §2.28.1(a) without setting the limits itself. EASA's ATS.OR.320(a) tells the provider to "specify" the same eight elements ATS.OR.320(a), Regulation (EU) 2017/373 without setting them either. By the time a number reaches a roster desk, the regulation has changed hands twice: ICAO to the state, the state's transposition to the provider.

"Night" is not the same four hours everywhere

EASA's AMC1 ATS.OR.320(a)(6);(7) fixes night time at midnight to 05:59. EUROCONTROL's own guideline reports Doc 9966's night-time window as 18:00 to 06:00 EUROCONTROL, Guidelines on Fatigue Management in ATC Rostering Systems, NMD/SAF/2611, Edition 1.0, 26 April 2023, footnote 4, p.8. A duty that "encroaches the night" under one definition can sit entirely outside it under the other. Elements 6 and 7 are only comparable once you know which clock each column is using.

The observed spread is the real headline

EASA's own 2023 survey shows how wide the range is once each ANSP fills in its own values: the average rest period after a night-encroaching duty at ACCs is 22.5 hours with a standard deviation of 19.5 hours EASA, Study on the Analysis, Prevention and Management of Air Traffic Controller Fatigue (D-4.C.1), May 2024, Table 2-1, p.25. A standard deviation nearly as large as the average means the eight-element structure is common across Europe. The actual numbers under it are not.

The UK is running a different lineage

The UK's Scheme for the Regulation of Air Traffic Controllers' Hours (SRATCOH) predates Regulation (EU) 2017/373 by 25 years. Retained UK law adopted EASA's AMC and GM as policy, then layered additional AMC and GM built on SRATCOH's own values on top CAA Policy Statement on ATCOs’ Rostering System(s), 2 September 2021, §2.4–2.5. The structure matches ATS.OR.320. The numbers underneath it come from a scheme the EU regulation never wrote.

Bring your own numbers to the conversation.

Whatever your ANSP or your national authority has set for these eight elements, we will show you exactly how each value becomes a rule the engine enforces, hard or soft, at whichever layer the roster can actually break it.

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