Smarter airports, stronger Europe: aviation innovation touches down at the European Parliament

As Europe seeks to meet growing demand for air connectivity while improving efficiency, sustainability and the passenger experience, innovation has a critical role to play. Smarter Airports, Stronger Europe: Delivering Aviation Transformation, an exhibition hosted by Jan-Christoph Oetjen MEP, ACI EUROPE and the SESAR Joint Undertaking at the European Parliament in Brussels, highlighted some of the technologies and solutions helping to make this possible.

The exhibition provided an opportunity for policymakers and decision-makers to meet directly with the people behind aviation innovation and to explore how airports and air traffic management partners are already delivering tangible benefits through SESAR. Through interactive demonstrations, immersive virtual reality experiences and project showcases, visitors discovered how SESAR Solutions are helping transform aviation operations across Europe.

For Jan-Christoph Oetjen MEP, continued investment in aviation innovation is critical not only for the sector itself, but for Europe's wider economic and social ambitions:

'Smarter skies and stronger regions: Europe's aviation future starts with innovation building greener, smarter, more connected skies. Every euro invested in smarter aviation brings Europe closer together, more competitive, and climate-ready.'

The exhibition featured a range of SESAR projects illustrating how innovation is being translated into operational improvements:

• FASTNET showcased how advanced data technologies can help fully integrate airport operations into the wider network through Airport Operations Plan (AOP) and Network Operations Plan (NOP) integration, improving coordination and predictability,
• HERON demonstrated solutions designed to reduce CO₂ emissions and environmental impact by making aircraft operations more efficient both in the air and on the ground,
• JARVIS highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence, including airport-focused applications that enhance safety and security through automated intrusion detection,
• MAIA presented new approaches to multimodal airport access, helping passengers connect more seamlessly between air transport and other modes of travel,
• MultimodX explored innovative solutions for the planning and management of multimodal transport networks, supporting better integration between transport systems,
• ORCI showcased AI-powered technologies designed to optimise runway utilisation at busy airports, helping improve capacity and operational efficiency,
• PEACOCK demonstrated how connecting additional airports to the European network can improve traffic predictability and strengthen network performance,
• PRIAM presented guidance and tools to support the large-scale deployment of innovative air mobility (IAM) services across European regions.

Together, these projects demonstrated how research and innovation are helping airports increase capacity, reduce delays, improve resilience and support Europe's sustainability objectives.

At the official opening of the exhibition, Andreas Boschen, Executive Director of the SESAR Joint Undertaking, noted: 'SESAR is helping Europe's airports to become smarter and more connected to the air traffic management network, improving day-to-day operations, strengthening resilience and supporting a better experience for passengers.'

The exhibition also gave visitors the opportunity to experience aviation innovation first-hand through two immersive virtual reality (VR) demonstrations. The first showcased a range of SESAR solutions designed to improve airport operations, illustrating how digital technologies can help airports manage traffic more efficiently, enhance passenger flows and support more sustainable operations. A second VR experience focused on SESAR's U-space, illustrating how drone services can be safely integrated into European airspace through advanced traffic management solutions. Together, the VR experiences offered a glimpse of how innovation is supporting both conventional and emerging aviation operations.

Commenting on the innovation undertaken by airports with the support of SESAR Solutions, Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE, explained: 'Europe's airports aren't waiting for the future - they're building it today. SESAR innovations are an essential part of their business transformation towards more efficient and sustainable operations with a clear focus on the passenger experience. This exhibition brings that transformation to life, showcasing step changes in smart airport operations and closer integration with Air Traffic Management.'

Learn more about SESAR innovation for airports