Creating together a united European sky: SESAR showcases delivery of new generation of technologies for air traffic management

The SESAR Joint Undertaking and its members showcase the future of aviation with the delivery of a catalogue of technological and operational solutions from its very first work programme at a three-day conference and an exhibition held in collaboration with the Dutch EU Presidency. The conference brings together key decision makers from both the public and private sector related to the air transport and aviation industry.

By the end of 2016, the SESAR JU will have delivered over 60 solutions to assist in the modernisation of Europe’s airspace that cover improved automation, increased digitisation and essential communication between airports, airlines and air navigation services. Marian-Jean MARINESCU, Member of the European Parliament said: “SESAR offers Europe an incredible opportunity for modernisation. We will accomplish the Single European Sky through technology, through the new air traffic control systems of SESAR. The services and underpinning technology should be designed keeping in mind the 600 million passengers flying over Europe each year. Passengers should benefit from safety, comfort and affordable tickets. A more efficient air traffic management system can deliver this.”

At a press briefing in the presence of MARINESCU and other key figures from the aviation industry, Florian GUILLERMET, Executive Director of the SESAR JU said the determination and commitment of Europe’s aviation industry to modernise the continent’s airspace and deliver these solutions has gone beyond individual interests and politics, placing innovation and unity firmly at the heart of our European skies.

Europe’s Air Traffic Management (ATM) system is highly fragmented and reliant on ageing technology. Current inefficiencies in the air traffic management value chain amount to €4 billion annually and long lead times often mean that technological change happens at a slow pace. And yet

in a short space of time, as Florian Guillermet points out: “SESAR JU has succeeded in bringing together more than 100 organisations and 3,000 experts from across Europe to fast track the delivery of tangible performance-based solutions, validated, documented, packaged and publically available for implementation by industry players. It’s testament to what Europe can do when we work together.”

To deliver these solutions, the SESAR JU and its members together have conducted 300 industrial research projects, 350 validation exercises and 30,000 flight trials, taking ATM research “out of the lab” and into real-life air traffic operations across Europe and internationally. These solutions have been delivered in line with the European roadmap for ATM modernisation (European ATM Master Plan) and serve as a basis for further research in SESAR 2020.

For an average trip taken in Europe, it is expected that these solutions will offer a 20 minute reduction in door-to-door travel time, 10kg in fuel savings per passenger and 15 euros in ticket savings. SESAR is not only bringing real economies in time and expense for passengers and the necessary innovations for the industry; it is also a solid investment. Every euro invested in SESAR R&D results in a 6-euro return on investment for Europe.

For further information www.sesarju.eu and for interviews with guest speakers or specialists: on behalf of the SESAR JU please contact Cordelia Wilson: +32 477 286128

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Reference: SESAR Solutions Catalogue/Factsheet