This announcement was made during the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking Annual Conference held in Brussels. Industry leaders gathered to express support for the updated European ATM Master Plan. This roadmap plays a crucial role in ATM modernization efforts. Various industry associations issued a Joint Declaration, expressing their intent to turn European airspace into an efficient and environmentally friendly flying zone.
The declaration emphasizes the need for collaboration and investment in new innovations. These endeavors aim to create the Digital European Sky, reducing aviation's environmental footprint. The Master Plan is set to guide future ATM investments, aligning with other initiatives focused on aviation sustainability.
Studies by SESAR 3 JU, EASA, and EUROCONTROL suggest that integrating new technologies and procedures within ATM can offer contributions to climate-neutral aviation. It's estimated that current SESAR solutions might lead to a 4% CO2 emissions reduction per flight, while the solutions from Common Project 1 could potentially offer a 2% emissions reduction per flight.
The European ATM Master Plan envisions prioritizing digital solutions which are pivotal for the Digital European Sky. This would allow European airspace to accommodate diverse air vehicles, each following environmentally-conscious trajectories, modified in real-time via AI-enabled platforms.
European Commissioner for Transport, Adina Ioana Vălean, commented on the potential of air traffic management, stating, "Up to 10% of CO2 emissions could be reduced by improving air traffic management efficiency in European airspace."
Álvaro Fernández-Iruegas, Deputy Director General, Spanish Civil Aviation Authority, representing the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU, discussed the significance of SESAR's work in the EU's mobility strategy.
SESAR 3 JU's Executive Director, Andreas Boschen, shared his perspective on the Master Plan and its potential impact on ATM transformation in Europe.
A consultation process will soon commence, involving industry stakeholders, European policymakers, and Member States. The goal is to have the latest version of the Master Plan approved by the SESAR 3 JU Governing Board by the end of 2024.
The conference also acknowledged the completion of the SESAR 2020 programme, which produced 127 solutions from 149 projects, now ready for deployment.
