EUROCONTROL commits €500 million to the SESAR Joint Undertaking

EUROCONTROL and the SESAR Joint Undertaking signed an Agreement on 7 September 2016, outlining EUROCONTROL’s new role and commitments in the SJU’s extended mandate. The agreement was signed by Frank Brenner, Director General of EUROCONTROL, and Florian Guillermet, Executive Director of the SESAR Joint Undertaking, in the presence of Henrik Hololei, Director General of DG MOVE, European Commission. Signing the Agreement with the SESAR Joint Undertaking (SJU), EUROCONTROL accepted a series of commitments and engagements for the SJU’s extended mandate, which runs until 2024.

“SESAR is key to delivering the European aviation strategy and the Single European Sky. The European Commission is therefore happy to continue working with EUROCONTROL as co-founders on this important European modernisation project,” said Henrik Hololei, Director General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE), and Chair of the SESAR JU Administrative Board.

“Today’s agreement signals EUROCONTROL’s continued commitment as co-founder and active member in the SESAR partnership. I believe that it is only through this type of collaboration that we can improve the overall performance of the European air transport network,” said Frank Brenner, Director General, EUROCONTROL and Vice Chair of the SESAR JU Administrative Board.

“We are very pleased to have the renewed commitment and support of EUROCONTROL, not just as a co-founder but also as a pro-active partner that injects expertise and positive energy into driving forward new ideas and R&D activities across the ATM domain, including the specific evolution of Network management. We look forward to working closely with colleagues from EURCONTROL and other members in order to deliver a high-performing aviation system for Europe,” said Florian Guillermet, Executive Director, SESAR Joint Undertaking.

The SJU was established to develop the new generation European air traffic management system. With its newly-extended mandate, the SJU needs the same operational framework, which has proved to be workable and effective to date. Adjustments are also needed to take into account the new EU financial regulations and the Horizon 2020 EU framework programme for research and innovation.

The SJU is responsible for executing the European ATM Master Plan. The European ATM Master Plan is the roadmap for modernising Europe’s air traffic management, laying down milestones for the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) programme through to deployment.

EUROCONTROL is a founding member of the SESAR Joint Undertaking and as such ensures that the pan-European dimension of the ATM Master Plan is maintained in all its 41 Member States, as well as its two Comprehensive Agreement States. EUROCONTROL has undertaken to commit €500 million as a Total Contribution to the SJU over the duration of its extended mandate.

The in kind contributions cover the provision of supplies, services, studies. EUROCONTROL also provides staff members for the Programme Management Unit and gives IT support. In addition,EUROCONTROL carries out research, development and validation activities in the SJU Work Programme and assesses the network impact of these on global ATM network performance objectives.

EUROCONTROL facilitates the involvement of civil/military stakeholders in proposals; encourages the wider participation of research organisations and helps align their activities with the SESAR work programme. EUROCONTROL also has a role to play in coordinating with the SJU on international activities, promoting SESAR projects on international for a – such as ICAO, the International Civil Aviation Organisation – beyond Europe.