The SESAR Joint Undertaking (SESAR JU)
SESAR stands for Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research. Established by the EU in 2021, the SESAR JU(opens in new window) is an institutional public-private partnership set up to accelerate the delivery of the Digital European Sky(opens in new window). To do so, it is developing and deploying cutting-edge technological solutions to better manage conventional aircraft, drones, air taxis and vehicles flying at higher altitudes. Building on the work of the first SESAR JU, this SESAR JU has a 10-year mandate (2021-2031), corresponding to the duration of the Horizon Europe programme (2021-2027), followed by four years to complete the work outlined in its multiannual work programme(opens in new window). The SESAR JU is integral to several EU policy areas, notably the Single European Sky(opens in new window), of which SESAR is the technological pillar, the sustainable and smart mobility strategy(opens in new window), digital transformation of transport nodes for connected and automated mobility as part of Europe Fit for the Digital Age(opens in new window), and the development of multimodal solutions for rail and aviation with Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking(opens in new window). The SESAR JU vision, defined in the European ATM Master Plan edition 2025(opens in new window), is to make Europe the most efficient and environmentally friendly sky to fly in the world by 2045. The JU also offers synergies with several other areas. These include advancing Europe’s climate and environmental goals under the European Green Deal(opens in new window) and the Fit for 55 package(opens in new window), coordinating efforts to cut CO2 and non-CO2 aircraft emissions with the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking(opens in new window), advancing space-based solutions for European air traffic management with the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA)(opens in new window), enhancing civil-military coordination in the air domain with the European Defence Agency(opens in new window) and collaborating with the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency(opens in new window) on the inclusion of SESAR topics in Connecting Europe Facility(opens in new window) calls for proposals for Digital Sky Demonstrators.
“Innovation is driven by collaboration – it is the force that enables us to break new ground, delivering smarter, more connected and more efficient solutions.”
Andreas Boschen, Executive Director of the SESAR Joint Undertaking
Airports play a pivotal role in the European transport ecosystem, acting as key nodes that seamlessly connect air travel with other modes of transport, such as rail. In an increasingly interconnected and a more environmentally responsible world, ensuring smooth and efficient transitions between these modes is not just an aspiration but a necessity for creating a more integrated and sustainable transport system. At the SESAR JU, we are bringing together the entire air traffic management community – airports, air navigation service providers, airspace users, industry, professional staff organisations and academia – to advance solutions that will make Europe’s transport system more efficient, resilient and passenger-centric. Our ambition is to make Europe the most efficient and environmentally friendly sky to fly in the world. This includes smooth connections with other transport modes. This publication showcases a selection of projects from our Digital European Sky research and innovation programme that are shaping the future of airport operations and multimodal connectivity. From enhancing collaborative decision-making at airports to improving the integration between air and rail, these projects are harnessing cutting-edge digital technologies, automation and artificial intelligence to optimise traffic flows, enhance operational efficiency and improve the passenger experience. They are also helping to reduce the environmental impact of operations through green taxiing techniques and environmental performance dashboards. Funded under Horizon Europe and the Connecting Europe Facility, these projects span the full innovation life cycle, from exploratory research to Digital Sky Demonstrators. Their collective aim is to move towards smarter airports with optimised operations and foster a more connected transport network, where air travel is seamlessly linked with other modes of transport. Over the coming years, we look forward to seeing the results of these projects and the transformative impact they will have on Europe’s aviation and mobility ecosystem. No single organisation can achieve this alone – it is through collaboration that we will build the safe, smart, efficient and sustainable transport system of tomorrow. Enjoy the read!