Where the future of ATM takes shape: SESAR JU at Airspace World 2026

Europe's air traffic management modernisation is accelerating, with SESAR innovation increasingly moving from research into operational reality across the aviation sector. This progress was on full display at Airspace World 2026 in Lisbon, where the SESAR Joint Undertaking (SESAR JU) and its partners demonstrated how European collaboration is helping to build a smarter, more resilient and more sustainable Digital European Sky.

A Portuguese perspective on SESAR innovation and deployment

On 25 May, SESAR JU Executive Director Andreas Boschen and Member of theEuropean Parliament Hélder Sousa Silva visited SESAR JU member NAV Portugal to take a closer look at its active participation in SESAR innovation and deployment. The programme included a visit to the Lisbon area control centre, where real-time operations illustrated how controllers manage complex traffic flows across en-route and approach sectors using SESAR Solutions in daily operations. Hosted by Rui Pedro Marçal, Vice-President of NAV Portugal, the visit also provided an opportunity to exchange on the organisation's strategic role within the Single European Sky and its long-standing engagement in SESAR activities.

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SESAR community annual gathering

That evening, Mr Sousa Silva joined SESAR members and partners at the JU's annual gathering. He addressed the community, saying that modernising air traffic management is a strategic investment in Europe's competitiveness, sustainability and strategic autonomy. He also highlighted the role of SESAR as a key enabler in helping Europe "own its sky", supporting stronger connectivity for citizens and businesses across the continent.

In his intervention, Filip Cornelis, Director for Aviation in the European Commission's Directorate General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE), highlighted the resilience demonstrated by the air traffic management sector in continuing to operate effectively despite successive crises and disruptions. He pointed to the combination of a highly skilled workforce and advanced technologies as a strong foundation for continued innovation, and encouraged the SESAR community to continue developing bold and ambitious ideas to support a more agile and future-ready ATM system. Welcoming participants, Andreas Boschen highlighted Lisbon's long-standing role as a global gateway connecting Europe with the world, describing it as a fitting setting discussing aviation and ATM.

Europe for Aviation puts spotlight on institutional collaboration

The SESAR JU teamed up with Europe for Aviation (E4A) institutional partners on a joint stand over the three days, highlighting the shared commitment to accelerating ATM modernisation through coordinated action. Speaking at the opening, Filip Cornelis stressed the importance of turning today's momentum into delivery over the coming 12 months. He noted that Europe is effectively aiming to achieve "a decade's work in a year" and pointed to shared priorities for the community, including preparations for the Common Project 2 (CP2), for which the SESAR Joint Undertaking is leading the development of the proposal. A dedicated consultation process is currently open for input from stakeholders, complemented by a consultation workshop taking place on 8-9 June in Brussels, which will support the definition of priorities and implementation pathways for the next phase of deployment.

SESAR Walking Tours: 10,000 steps through the future of ATM

A key highlight of SESAR JU's presence at Airspace World 2026 was the series of guided SESAR Walking Tours across the exhibition floor. Over the course of the event, participants completed more than 10,000 steps, with good shoes proving essential to navigate the scale of the exhibition. Across 13 tours, visitors discovered SESAR innovations in action, including AI-enabled solutions, U-space, virtualisation and trajectory-based operations. The tours offered a hands-on perspective on how SESAR research and solutions were being progressively made ready for deployment across the European aviation landscape, bringing innovation closer to operational reality.

Read reports for each of the walking tours

Joint declaration to advance shared vision on air traffic management in Europe and Singapore

Airspace World was also the backdrop for the signature of a joint declaration with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) to advance ATM capabilities to improve long-term air traffic flows between Singapore and Europe. Under the joint declaration, CAAS and SESAR JU will collaborate in research on future ATM concepts such as trajectory-based operations and the development of common situation pictures of air traffic flows, weather and aeronautical information, with artificial intelligence and automation as enablers.

Read the press release

Expert debates on the future of ATM

In addition to demonstrations and tours, the SESAR JU contributed to the main stage programme through a series of expert-led sessions covering key strategic and technical themes. Discussions focused on the evolution of EU funding and partnerships in driving innovation, the development of next-generation ATM platforms, communications, navigation and surveillance (CNS), and trajectory-based operations. Further sessions addressed air traffic controller training, the integration of new entrants such as U-space and space-based services, and progress towards the International Civil Aviation Organization Minimum Implementation Path. A highlight of the programme was the SESAR JU session on new ATM service delivery. Moderated by Alain Siebert, SESAR JU, the panel brought together representatives from European Union Aviation Safety Agency, the European Commission, DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH and Indra Group.The session reflected on how Europe can build a more resilient, sustainable and digitally enabled ATM system fit for the decade ahead.

Seamless skies

At the Seamless Skies Awards, the IFAV3 (Increased Flexibility of ATCO Validations) project was named runner-up in the Collaborative Operations for Sustainable Skies category. The initiative, coordinated by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), was recognised for its work to enhance the operational flexibility and rostering of air traffic controllers across Europe.

More about the project

Emoji challenge

Visitors also took part the SESAR JU emoji challenge, which invited participants to test their knowledge which tested knowledge of the Strategic Deployment Objectives from the European ATM Master Plan.

Take the challenge!