Tangible AI solutions for ATM in focus at FLY AI Forum

The second edition of the FLY AI Forum took place on 29-30 April 2024, bringing together leaders and innovators from across air traffic management (ATM) to explore the rapid uptake of artificial intelligence (AI) in the sector. Organised by Eurocontrol on behalf of the FLY AI partners - including the SESAR Joint Undertaking, European Commission, EASA, ASD, CANSO, EDA, EUROCAE, IATA, IFATCA, IFATSEA, ACI EUROPE, and NATO - the event showcased the latest AI-based applications and discussed how to accelerate their integration into ATM.

As partners of the event, the SESAR Joint Undertaking moderated a dedicated session on AI research and innovation for the Digital European Sky, led by Alessandro Prister. The session highlighted the growing role of machine learning in ATM, with contributions from Mehtap Karaarslan, Paolino De Falco, PhD, Ramon Dalmau Codina, Rüdiger Ehrmanntraut, Álvaro Quintanar Pascual, and Aniel Jardines.

The SESAR exhibition featured a broad range of AI-focused projects addressing key operational challenges. Among them:

• ASTAIR , developing a support tool to automate the supervision of airport ground operations.
• HUCAN , proposing a novel approach for the certification and approval of AI-enabled ATM systems, targeting EASA, national authorities, and air navigation service providers.
• JARVIS , offering digital assistants to help manage complex ATM scenarios.
• KAIROS , enhancing meteorological decision-making by combining live weather information with AI-powered forecasts.
• SynthAIr , exploring AI-based methods for generating synthetic data to support ATM applications.

These projects demonstrate how AI is moving from concept to practical application, helping to automate repetitive tasks, strengthen information exchange, improve collaboration between air and ground, and enhance decision-making.

SESAR's growing portfolio of AI research is applying machine learning to analyse big data, detect traffic patterns, and optimise operations. The tangible benefits include smarter traffic management, enhanced collaboration, and greater capacity to manage increasing traffic demands safely and sustainably.

The Forum showed that AI is already delivering practical solutions to support a more connected, efficient, and safe European ATM system.

More about SESAR JU's work on AI