Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR)

16 September 2009
by inadim -- last modified 24 September 2009

The SESAR project (formerly known as SESAME) is the European air traffic control infrastructure modernisation programme. SESAR aims at developing the new generation air traffic management system capable of ensuring the safety and fluidity of air transport worldwide over the next 30 years.

A three phase project

Definition Phase (2004-2008)

The first phase of SESAR, called the definition phase, which ended in 2008, delivered an ATM master plan defining the content, the development and deployment plans of the next generation of ATM systems.

This definition phase was led by Eurocontrol, and co-funded by the European Commission under the Trans-European Network Transport programme. Work was executed by a consortium made of representatives of all air transport stakeholders. Whilst most of the consortium members were European organisations, the consortium was also be opened to non European actors.

Development phase (2008-2013)

The development phase (2007-2013) will produce the required new generation of technological systems and components as defined in the definition phase. For this phase the Commission has proposed the creation of a joint undertaking, based on the GALILEO model, which will federate public and private funds (Community, Eurocontrol, industry and third countries) and guarantee a single management structure for the project, as well as a governance model associating all actors involved (public and private).

Deployment phase (2014-2020)

The deployment phase (2013-2020) will seek to build the new infrastructure at a wide scale both in Europe and in partner countries. This will be carried out under the responsibility of the industry without further public funding.

Council Regulation 219/2007 of the Council, of 27 February 2007, on the establishment of a Joint Undertaking to develop the new generation European air traffic management system (SESAR) [Official Journal L 64 of 2.3.2007].

Source: European Commission