Eurocontrol article on maintaining Europe’s competitive edge in aeronautics and air traffic management
In the Spring issue of Eurocontrol’s Skyway magazine, ASD Secretary General Jan Pie talked about innovation and challenges for aeronautics and air traffic management in Europe.
He explained that the European aeronautics industry is undergoing a significant period of transformation amidst rising geopolitical tensions and economic competition. Digitalisation and decarbonisation are at the heart of the transformation, which includes significant innovations in aircraft and air traffic management (ATM) services.
A primary goal for the industry is to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 from all flights within and departing from the EU. To accomplish this, manufacturers are investing in new aircraft and ground systems, more efficient engines, and sustainable aviation fuels. Efforts are underway to enhance ATM operations through digitalisation and automation, leveraging technologies like artificial intelligence to improve safety and efficiency.
Jan Pie emphasised that to sustain innovation and competitiveness in these areas, continued public funding was needed to support research initiatives such as Clean Aviation and Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR).
The main objective that we should aim for and where we can generate a positive impact globally in the coming years, is making European airspace the most efficient and environmentally friendly sky to fly in the world.
He called on decision-makers at the European level to guarantee sufficient public funding under the next EU Research Framework Programme to allow for the continuation of the Clean Aviation and SESAR public-private partnerships, and for additional funds to address emerging topics outside the scope of these two projects.
He highlighted a number of concrete research streams that need to be addressed in particular in relation to air traffic management – including the strengthening of research on highly efficient aircraft propulsion systems; continued efforts on noise and non-CO2 emission reduction; digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, to increase autonomy and connectivity in aviation; safer operations and cyber security technologies on board and on the ground, based on a more resilient on-board and ground infrastructure; a digital ATM system contributing to the delivery of the Digital European Sky; and emerging concepts such as unmanned aircraft systems (drones) and innovative (or advanced) air mobility.
Jan Pie also called for more consistency in EU legislation, noting that the pace, quantity and quality of innovations are strongly determined by the regulatory environment in which companies operate. He noted for example how the United States and China had innovation-friendly regulations that encouraged investment in vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) projects and drones, whereas this high-potential technology faced tight regulatory constraints in Europe.