SESAR Innovation Days 2024: A catalyst for ATM transformation

From 11-15 November, more than 600 leading European researchers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers gathered in Rome for the 14th SESAR Innovation Days (SIDs), the flagship event for air traffic management (ATM) research and innovation in Europe. Hosted by Aeroporti di Roma, ENAV, and Leonardo and organised by the SESAR JU, the conference featured more than 37 posters, 54 technical papers, and a diverse range of sessions on topics including climate-optimised trajectories, innovative air mobility, digital flight rules and quantum computing..

Opening remarks by Andreas Boschen, SESAR JU Executive Director, set the tone of ambition for the conference, underscoring SESAR's commitment to building a smarter, more sustainable Digital European Sky. "Events like SESAR Innovation Days are essential for pushing the boundaries of what's possible in air traffic management," said Andreas Boschen, Executive Director of the SESAR JU. "They provide a unique platform for knowledge exchange, bringing together academia and industry to collaborate on solutions to our sector's most pressing challenges. This collaboration is vital as we work towards delivering a Digital European Sky-one that is efficient, sustainable, and resilient. By fostering these connections, we are able to transform ambitious ideas into practical innovations, bringing us ever closer to our shared vision."

Additional welcoming words were made from Ivan Bassato, Aeroporti di Roma S.p.A, Maurizio Paggetti, ENAV, and Marco De Fazio, Leonardo. Keynotes by Alessio Quaranta, Director General, ENAC, praised SESAR's capacity to turn ideas into concrete advancements in safety and capacity, while Filip Cornelis, Aviation Director at the European Commission's Directorate for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE), urged for bold innovation to reach climate neutrality and strengthen Europe's competitiveness.

Exploring new horizons in ATM research

Throughout the week, attendees participated in three thought-provoking plenary sessions:

Plenary Session 1: Making Europe the most efficient and environmentally-friendly sky

Led by David Batchelor, SESAR JU, the panel included representatives from EUROCONTROL, ENAV, Schiphol Airport, Air France, DLR, and Indra. Together, they discussed the progress and challenges in achieving net-zero emissions in aviation. While significant reductions in emissions per passenger have been made in recent years, further progress is still required.

Key strategies to reach net-zero emissions include implementing trajectory-based operations (TBO), improving data access, and developing common data models. The panellists also stressed the importance of predictability to reduce uncertainty and enhance operational efficiency. They emphasised the need to rethink how new technologies are deployed, advocating for a system-wide approach rather than incremental improvements.

The panel acknowledged the European ATM Master Plan as a roadmap for modernising air traffic management, providing concrete solutions for optimising operations, minimising environmental impact, and reducing costs for airspace users. In light of existing uncertainties, they concluded that ongoing research into non-CO2 effects, alongside a more synchronised and holistic approach to decision-making, is crucial for achieving a climate-optimised aviation sector.

Plenary session 2: Digital flight rules and new entrant operations

Moderated by Robin Garrity from SESAR JU, the panel brought together experts from Aeroporti di Roma, Lilium, Austrocontrol, and AOPA UK to discuss whether current flight rules are fit for purpose in supporting the integration of new entrants, such as drones and innovative air mobility (IAM) vehicles, alongside traditional air traffic.

The panel explored the operational challenges faced by IAM aircraft (e.g., e-VTOLs, air taxis) which will initially operate as crewed vehicles under visual flight rules (VFR), followed by instrument flight rules (IFR). As uncrewed operations will increase, so too will the need for higher levels of automation. Consequently, while the panel agreed that new, innovative procedures can already be developed, to fully enable uncrewed operations flight rules will need to be developed to enable seamless integration of all airspace users.

Plenary session 3: Application of quantum techniques - A game-changer for ATM?

Moderated by Olivia Nunez, SESAR JU, the panel brought together experts from Leonardo, Thales, Università Statale di Milano, CIRA, DLR to discuss how quantum techniques could transform ATM operations and the potential applications in airspace management.

Quantum technology is an emerging field with the potential to significantly transform various sectors, particularly through its ability to process data at unprecedented speeds and capacities. In the context of ATM, quantum techniques could enhance service-oriented architectures, improving efficiency and accuracy in air traffic control and management. The discussion emphasised the need for further exploration into integrating quantum sensing and computing into ATM, along with developing strategies for effective implementation.

This topic is a future priority research area as outlined in the upcoming European ATM Master Plan, which aims to explore the applications of quantum technology in areas like cybersecurity and queue management. The ultimate goal is to position ATM to fully leverage advancements in quantum technology, ensuring the sector remains at the forefront of technological innovation.

Innovation in action

To showcase applications of cutting-edge ATM technologies, site visits were organised to Aeroporti di Roma (ADR) and ENAV, offering participants an opportunity to explore the latest innovations in airport operations, air traffic management, and sustainability initiatives. At ADR, attendees visited the airport operations centre (APOC) and the Innovation Hub, where they saw first-hand how advanced technologies are driving operational efficiency and sustainability. The ENAV tour featured their state-of-the-art digital remote tower setup and simulation facilities, highlighting the role of digitalisation in modernising air traffic control. These visits reinforced the conference's emphasis on practical, actionable solutions for transforming ATM and advancing innovation in the aviation industry.

Strengthening Knowledge exchange and Network Building

Micol Biscotto, Engage 2, SESAR Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN), presented updates on the KTN, which fosters collaboration between academia and industry.

Technical paper sessions throughout the week offered researchers the chance to showcase their work and engage with peers on the latest ATM developments.

Participants also enjoyed interactive poster sessions, networking events, and tours supported by NAIS, Deep Blue, EuroUSC Italia, and CIRA.

SESAR Young Scientist Award

The conference closed with the SESAR Young Scientist Award ceremony, celebrating groundbreaking contributions from students and early-career researchers in ATM. During the 2024 ceremony, the top honour in the PhD category was awarded to Yutong Chen from Cranfield University for his innovative research on strategic and tactical conflict management, particularly focusing on both crewed and uncrewed operations using reinforcement learning. The jury praised his work as significantly advancing the state of the art in conflict resolution techniques.

In the student category, Samuel Christian Heilein from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) won first place for his impactful work on radar altimetry characterisation, contributing to safer and more precise uncrewed traffic management.

Executive Director Andreas Boschen congratulated all participants, noting, "Young talent breathes new life into our industry-bringing bold ideas, creativity, and an unyielding drive to push the boundaries of what's possible. These are the essential ingredients in our journey to build the Digital European Sky."

SESAR Innovation Days 2025

SESAR Innovation Days 2024 concluded with a look toward the future, as attendees were invited to join the 2025 event, in Slovenia. Hosted by Pipistrel, the event promises another exciting programme for ATM research and collaboration.

Stay tuned for updates about next year's event!

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