Estimates Delivery Of 60 Solutions For Airspace Modifications By The End Of The Year

The SESAR Joint Undertaking and its members showcased the future of aviation with the delivery of a catalogue of technological and operational solutions from its very first work program at a three-day conference and an exhibition held in collaboration with the Dutch EU Presidency.

The conference brought 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 modernization of Europe’s airspace that cover improved automation, increased digitisation and essential communication between airports, airlines and air navigation services. 

“SESAR offers Europe an incredible opportunity for modernization," said Marian-Jean Marinescu, Member of the European Parliament. "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 modernize 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 (approx. $4.52 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 organizations 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 (22 pounds) in fuel savings per passenger and 15 euros (about $17) 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.

(Source: SESAR JU news release)

FMI: www.sesarju.eu