The GEESE project, supported by the SESAR JU, continues to make strides in demonstrating the potential of wake energy retrieval (WER) to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions in commercial aviation.

WER allows a following aircraft to take advantage of the reduced drag in the wake of a leading aircraft, similar to slipstreaming in cycling. By flying in carefully managed pairings, aircraft can lower fuel burn and emissions while maintaining safe separation.

Marking the start of its validation phase, the project held its first tabletop validation of the pairing assistance tool (PAT) in March. The exercise, conducted in Toulouse, brought together pilots, dispatchers and flight operations experts from partner airlines – Air France, Delta Air Lines, French Bee and Virgin Atlantic – along with operational experts from DSNA, EUROCONTROL’s Network Manager and NATS. PAT helps identify real-time opportunities for aircraft to fly in formation-like pairings to benefit from reduced drag.

Following the tabletop activity, GEESE partners met in Toulouse for a project workshop focused on celebrating recent achievements and coordinating upcoming challenges. Later in March, the consortium underwent a successful technical project review with SESAR JU, with no shortfalls identified in either technical progress or project planning.

Several real-time simulation exercises took place across Europe in the following weeks. In Madrid, Lithuanian air traffic controllers from Oro Navigacija tested ATC-pilot communication procedures for WER flights using a prototype controller working position developed by INDRA. These exercises, supported by Airbus, DSNA and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, also explored human performance aspects.

At DSNA’s Brest control centre, simulations refined phraseology and communication procedures, drawing on expert input from DSNA controllers, airline pilots, and EUROCONTROL’s Network Manager. Additional simulations at Air France’s Charles-de-Gaulle facilities focused on collaborative decision-making for WER flight plan changes, using EUROCONTROL’s Planta platform to explore coordination between dispatchers and ANSPs.

With these activities completed, the GEESE team is now focused on analysing the collected data and preparing for the next phase of validations.

Looking ahead, GEESE will be featured as part of SESAR JU’s Walking Tours at Airspace World 2025, with demonstrations planned at the INDRA and DSNA stands.

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