SESAR Joint Undertaking showcases progress towards the Digital European Sky at Airspace World 2025

With more than 7,000 participants, Airspace World 2025 in Lisbon brought together the global air traffic management (ATM) community to exchange on the future of aviation. As part of the Europe for Aviation stand, the SESAR Joint Undertaking joined key European aviation organisations to showcase concrete progress towards the Digital European Sky and the implementation of the Single European Sky.

A strong European presence

The Europe for Aviation stand was officially opened by Filip Cornelis, Director for Aviation at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE). In his opening remarks, he underlined the progress made since last year's event, including the adoption of the European ATM Master Plan and the launch of a SESAR JU-funded low-earth orbit satellite, testing the feasibility of space-based communications for ATM.

The joint stand featured the European Commission (DG MOVE), CINEA, EDA, EASA, EUROCAE, EUROCONTROL, EUSPA, SESAR Deployment Manager, and the SESAR Joint Undertaking - all working together to shape a smarter, greener, and more connected European sky.

Spotlight on innovation and deployment

A major highlight of SESAR JU's presence was the organisation of 17 walking tours, in collaboration with the SESAR Deployment Manager, offering visitors the opportunity to see SESAR innovation in action. The tours spanned a wide range of topics, from integrated drone operations, AI and civil-military cooperation, to virtual centres, sustainability, space integration, and advanced CNS technologies. The SESAR JU was particularly honoured to welcome the EU Directors General of Civil Aviation for dedicated tours showcasing best-in-class technologies.

Flor Diaz Pulido, Head of Aviation Policy at DG MOVE, also joined a dedicated tour highlighting key enablers for the Digital European Sky - including trajectory-based operations, space-based communications, and a new service delivery model.

Panels in focus

The new service delivery model was at the heart of a high-level panel hosted by the SESAR JU, exploring how the updated ATM Master Plan will support the transition to a more agile and service-oriented approach to ATM in Europe. Panellists Florian Guillermet, EASA, Anna von Groote, EUROCAE, Vincent De Vroey, ASD Europe, and Michelle Bishop, CANSO, shared their support for the new approach and encouraged stakeholders to getting going with its implementation. During the panel, it was announced the signing of a joint statement by ADB Safegate, Airtel ATN, Collins Aerospace, IFATSEA, and Tern Systems committing to take this transformation forward.

The SESAR JU also contributed to several panels throughout the event, including discussions on the integration of drones and innovative air mobility, the application of artificial intelligence in air traffic control, the use of dynamic ATC constraints, and solutions to address air traffic flow and capacity management (ATFCM) imbalances in complex airspace environments.

Celebrating success and inspiring the future

Airspace World provided a timely setting for SESAR JU member, Thales and DSNA, to announce the deployment of the Green Flag Orchestrator at Reims ACC, following its initial implementation in Brest-an achievement delivered through the SESAR JU CONCERTO project. The tool, which enables more eco-efficient flight paths by relaxing air traffic control constraints, exemplifies how SESAR is supporting the transition to more sustainable air traffic management.

Against the backdrop of Airspace World 2025, the ATM Awards took place recognising outstanding initiatives shaping the future of air traffic management. Among the winners was the SEC-AIRSPACE project, funded by SESAR JU, won in the category "Building a resilient ATM framework for the future". The project focuses on cybersecurity risk assessment in virtualised airspace and explores using people analytics to boost cybersecurity awareness and resilience in ATM organisations.

On the final day of the event, SESAR JU took part in the Tomorrow's Voices panel, organised by Engage 2, where it announced the 2025 Young Scientist Award. The award recognises outstanding research by students in the field of ATM and underlines SESAR JU's commitment to nurturing young talent and supporting a strong pipeline of knowledge and innovation for the future.

Connecting with the community

Throughout the event, SESAR JU experts were on hand to answer questions and exchange with attendees, while visitors had the chance to test their knowledge with an interactive quiz. The energy, insight, and collaboration on display underscored the strength of the European ATM community - and the shared ambition to deliver a Digital European Sky.