In 2022, Austrian stakeholders (public and private) across the aviation value chain joined forces to establish a networking initiative, the aim of which is to facilitate stronger synergies between European and national programmes addressing air traffic management modernisation. In this article, we hear from three leading representatives in this innovative Austrian initiative.

Austrian stakeholders participating in SESAR and Single European Sky (SES) are as a whole convinced that SESAR is the most important European research initiative for air traffic management, and essential for the successful implementation of SES. During the SESAR 1 and SESAR 2020 programme execution, stakeholders met regularly and exchanged relevant information in order to both understand, align and find synergies between European and Austrian ATM research activities. Following the establishment of the SESAR 3 JU States Representatives Group (SRG), Austrian stakeholders agreed to set up a more formalised SESAR networking initiative coordinated through the Innovation and Transport Directorates General of the Federal Ministry for Climate Action.

The Austrian SESAR Networking Initiative is designed as an open platform for all Austrian public and private organisations engaged in SESAR. Participants include those responsible for research and innovation at the ministry and from the Directorate for Aviation (also members of the Single Sky Committee), as well as all Austrian founding members of the SESAR 3 JU, namely Austro Control, EasyJet Europe, Frequentis AG. The Austrian Research Promotion Agency alongside other research and private organisations interested in SESAR, complete the group of participants in this networking initiative. 

The agenda of those participating is to openly and transparently share SESAR-related information, focusing on alignment between European and Austrian aviation research and innovation agendas. The hope is to prevent duplication of research activities and ensure research projects are cohesive. Ultimately, stakeholders create a better and joint understanding of administrative, governance, and process topics related to the SESAR 3 JU’s Digital European Sky research and innovation programme. Topics shared include information about in-kind contributions to additional activities (IKAA) and best practices in project execution. Furthermore, members’ changing priorities in the SESAR 3 JU’s multi-annual work programme are addressed within the initiative.

The networking initiative is managed by the SRG appointed Austrian representative. This ensures a mutual understanding of information between the networking initiative and the SRG. “On the part of the Ministry, the exchange within the framework of the networking initiative is considered very valuable. Not only does the exchange between national stakeholders bring great added value for all participants in relation to the ATM Master Plan’s vision, it also provides us with important input for our work in the SRG,“ says Elisabeth Landrichter, Director General for Civil Aviation at the Federal Ministry for Climate Action.

This initiative is a great platform allowing members to exchange relevant SESAR Research and Deployment topics in an informal way. We especially appreciate the engagement of the different, but very relevant, directorates of the Federal Ministry for Climate Action as well as of the FFG. We learn from each other every time we meet, which allows us to better prepare ourselves for the upcoming calls,” says Michael Holzbauer, Director European Affairs at Frequentis, where he currently leads several strategic ATM programmes, including SESAR.

 

The SESAR Networking Initiative brings interesting transversal insight to the Austrian aviation stakeholders and enables a closer corporation, coordination and knowledge exchange. Having a platform that actively supports organisations to engage and exchange their interests and to organize research projects, which are aiming to fulfil the ATM Master Plan’s vision, is considered highly valuable by Austro Control.” outlined by Günter Tree, Head of Strategic Business Development at Austro Control Engineering Services.

So far, there has been no exchange with other initiatives of this kind. However, the ministry says that it would welcome an exchange and would be happy to provide advice, if needed, on how to establish such an initiative.

For more information, contact:

Verena Heingärtner

Policy & Governance / Department of Space Affairs and Aviation Technologies

Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology

Email: verena.heingaertner@bmk.gv.at

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