A recently started SESAR research project is investigating how to make artificial intelligence an integral part of the air traffic control team, helping to improve situational awareness and decision making in sometimes very complex traffic situations. Read our interview with Prof. Tomislav Radišić, University of Zagreb, Coordinator of the AISA (AI Situational Awareness Foundation for Advancing Automation) project.

SESAR partners have started work on a comprehensive demand analysis and concept of operations for higher airspace, with the objective of allowing safe, efficient and scalable operations above the flight levels where conventional air traffic operates. The European concept for higher airspace operations (ECHO) is a two-year SESAR 2020 project, comprising representatives from partners Airbus UTM (Airbus Operations SL), CIRA, DASSAULT AVIATION, the DLR, the DSNA, ENAC (Italian NAA), ENAV, EUROCONTROL, ONERA and THALES Alenia Space.

In November, the SESAR JU organised two Digital Sky Vodcasts, focusing on the economic viability of ATM and how to build back better post-COVID. Read a summary of the key takeaways from the discussions or watch the vodcasts again! The vodcasts are part of a series, which, since May, has been bringing together industry thought leaders to look at what the industry needs in order to reboot and the role that SESAR innovation can play in the process

In this interview, project coordinator, Dr. Fethi Abdelmoula from German Aerospace Center, presents the work of the SESAR project DYNCAT (Dynamic Configuration Adjustment in the TMA), which is focusing on supporting pilots in configuration management and in the development of greener, more predictable flight profiles

The latest draft of the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) for the Digital European Sky is now available. Incorporating feedback received from stakeholders over the summer, the SRIA details the research and innovation roadmaps to achieve the Digital European Sky. The publication coincides with the signing of a Joint Memorandum of Understanding by industry partners for the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking.

The SESAR JU has published a report consolidating the results from the SESAR U-space research & innovation - all essential building blocks for delivering safe and secure drone operations in Europe. The main findings of the report were presented during a dedicated webinar on 12 November.

The SESAR JU has launched a webinar series to present some of the research underway to deliver smart and sustainable solutions for greener ATM. The first webinar took place on 19 November and looked at solutions that are helping to reduce the environmental impact of airport operations, both in terms of CO2 emissions, air quality and noise abatement.

European research partners with support from the Maastricht UAC are investigating how supervised machine learning can improve the generation of conflict-free trajectories. In this article, Raphaël Christien and Karim Zeghal, researchers from EUROCONTROL, 4DSkyways coordinator, provide a brief overview of their initial investigations.

The SESAR JU has contributed to a recent action plan on optimising vertical flight profiles with a view to reducing emissions and noise. Gathering the inputs from European aviation partners, EUROCONTROL’s ‘Continuous Climb and Descent Operations Action Plan’ contains multiple references to SESAR solutions that are fully ready for implementation and support the recommended measures.

Istanbul Airport has won the first-ever SESAR JU-ACI Europe Digital Transformation Award. The Award recognises a European airport that has embraced digitalisation, adopting innovative technologies and procedures to improve the safety, capacity, efficiency and environmental footprint of its airside operations.

Staff of the SESAR Joint Undertaking have embarked on a 60-day virtual tour of Europe, visiting each of its members! The SESAR 2020 Virtual Challenge aims to raise funds for the European Food Banks Federation to help people who are in need as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.