HungaroControl: co-creation at the heart of SESAR

There is growing recognition across the air traffic management sector that involvement in the early stages of the innovation cycle leads to more effective implementation in the long run. Co-creation is increasingly seen as central to ATM innovation, from early development through to operational deployment, as stakeholders seek to help shape solutions rather than simply adopt them.

Against this backdrop, HungaroControl has been a long-standing participant in the SESAR Joint Undertaking, contributing to SESAR Solutions including flight-centric ATC, remote and digital towers, drone integration, conflict detection and resolution, and airport surface guidance.

It is also active in Digital European Sky research such as ATM-U-space integration through the ENSURE project, and is preparing for new industrial research work from 2026 on modular ATM platforms, AI in digital towers, machine learning for runway optimisation, and space-based surveillance.

In parallel, it has also deployed several key SESAR Solutions, including free route airspace, civil-military coordination, automated conflict detection and conformance monitoring, continuous descent operations, and remote tower operations.

For Dr. Vékey Zoltán, Head of R&D, this shift is central to the value of participation in SESAR. "Being a member of SESAR JU places us at the heart of Europe's air traffic management innovation ecosystem." he says. "It allows us to actively co-create future technologies and operational concepts, rather than simply implementing them later."

As air traffic management becomes increasingly complex due to traffic demand, operational constraints and geopolitical uncertainty, digital transformation is now central to ensuring performance and resilience. "Ensuring safe, efficient, and continuous operations is our primary responsibility." Dr. Vékey explains. "Digital transformation is therefore essential to enhance interoperability and resiliency, enable higher levels of automation, and ensure that we can manage this complexity safely and efficiently in the long term."

HungaroControl's innovation priorities focus on three areas: resilience, cybersecurity and interoperability, which are aligned with the priorities outlined in the European ATM Master Plan. Looking at the broader European context, SESAR is seen as a key enabler of competitiveness and resilience. "SESAR is a cornerstone of Europe's ability to remain globally competitive in aviation." Dr. Vékey says. "By aligning stakeholders around common priorities and accelerating innovation, it reduces fragmentation and helps scale advanced solutions across Europe."

HungaroControl's long-standing involvement reflects its role not only as an implementer of innovation, but also as a contributor to its development. "We are proud to play an active role in this ecosystem - not only as a technology adopter, but as a recognised contributor shaping the future of European aviation."

Read the complete interview with Dr. Vékey Zoltán, Head of R&D at HungaroControl: https://www.sesarju.eu/members/hungaro