SESAR is playing an important role, alongside other stakeholders in the ATM value chain, by addressing inefficiencies in air traffic management. Through our research and innovation programme we are seeking to bring about a digital transformation in ATM,  developing technological solutions that can deliver a “perfect flight” in terms of carbon emissions reduction and that can create a fully connected airspace.

This requires looking at every phase of the flight and use of the airspace, and seeing what technologies can be used to eliminate fuel inefficiencies. It also requires synchronised data exchange and operations on the ground and in the air to ensure maximum impact.

Much of the focus of the work has been on making taxi-out operations more predictable and efficient, reducing  holding patterns and vectoring in terminal airspace upon arrival; and optimising trajectories through the use of i4D, among other technologies. All of which bring fuel savings.

Considering the urgency of the situation, we need to look at how we can accelerate the digital transformation in order to support a swift transition to greener aviation. Large-scale demonstrators will be key to bridging the industrialisation gap, bringing these innovations to scale and encouraging rapid implementation by industry.

These will focus on solutions enabling “perfect flights” from an emissions perspective, eliminating unnecessary ATC interventions that would result in a degradation of the optimum trajectory and generate extra emissions. The demonstrators would also facilitate the integration of the next generation of aircraft that will be cleaner and quieter.

It is estimated that a digital European sky could save 28 million tonnes of CO2 per year, which is roughly equivalent to the CO2 produced by 3.2 million people or the population in the metropolitan area of a city like Madrid.