SESAR injects €1.9 billion into ATM research to avert congestion of European sky, SESAR

Release Date: 2009-06-12

Brussels, 12 June – The SESAR Joint Undertaking, a unique public-private partnership in air traffic management (ATM) research and development founded by the European Commission and EUROCONTROL, signed 16 contracts totalling €1.9 billion today, for the creation of Europe’s future ATM system. These contracts mark the beginning of the execution of the SESAR programme. As it serves its vital long term objective – ensuring the sustainability of European air transport – the SESAR JU is also providing continued support for the ATM sector in the short term.



“In the context of a global recession, the financing and timely development of SESAR has become literally vital,” commented Antonio Tajani, Commission Vice-President in charge of transport. “Public-private funding kicks in to support ATM research & development at a time when global economic uncertainty is prompting businesses to manage their cash with extreme caution. On top of green and safety objectives, SESAR will also contribute to the viability of the entire sector, as it will cut air transport operating costs in the longer term.”

Based on the Single European sky legislative package, the mission of the SESAR Joint Undertaking (SJU) is to ensure the modernisation of the European air traffic management system by coordinating and concentrating all relevant research and development efforts in Europe. Unless these efforts deliver their results on time, the European ATM system will be unable to face the projected growth of air traffic. By 2020, SESAR aims to creating the capability to handle a threefold increase in traffic in Europe, while improving safety by a factor of ten. The programme also seeks to reduce by 10% the environmental impact per flight thanks to significant fuel reduction. The modernised air traffic management system in Europe should cut ATM-related expenses by half.
Type: NORMAL
Company: SESAR
Country: Belgium
Url: http://www.sesarju.eu/public/standard_page/pr_090612.html
 
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