Single European Sky ATM Research - SESAR

SESAR is the EU’s programme for development of the new generation of a European ATM system. The programme combines technology with operational, financial and legislative aspects. In 2009, the EU Council of Ministers adopted a European ATM Master Plan covering the period up to 2020. According to the plan, the new generation of the European ATM system must be implemented in the period from 2014 to 2020.

To manage and develop SESAR, initially until 2016, a joint undertaking has been established, SESAR Joint Undertaking (SJU). SJU has the form of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). The members are: the European Commission, Eurocontrol and the aviation sector (including a number of ANSPs). Each member has one third of the seats and bears one third of the costs. Naviair participates in SJU’s work through NORACON (see the section on Naviair’s strategic business initiatives).

The SESAR definition phase, which is scheduled to run from 2013 to 2020, is at the preparation stage. No decision has been made as yet as to how and under what auspices this phase will be implemented. It is thus uncertain whether SJU’s work schedule can be extended beyond 2016, meaning SJU will also govern the implementation of SESAR, or whether other solutions will have to be found for the definition phase.

> SESAR Joint Undertaking's website

> Read more in the Business Plan or in the Tactical Plan