European stakeholders propose new air traffic management deployment phase

Stakeholders in the European air traffic management (ATM) community have presented a proposal to the European Commission for the next phase of coordinated deployment, known as Common Project 2 (CP2). Led by the SESAR Joint Undertaking (SESAR JU), the proposal aims to synchronize technologies, services, and operational improvements across 27 EU Member States, as well as Norway and Switzerland.

The initiative seeks to address growing pressures on Europe’s ATM system, including increased traffic, evolving security conditions, and workforce constraints. By ensuring coordinated action, the project intends to avoid fragmented deployment and misaligned timelines. The proposed deployment timeframe runs from 2028 through 2040.

A cost-benefit analysis estimates that this wave of deployment could generate approximately EUR 53.5 billion in benefits against EUR 9 billion in quantified investment and operating costs between 2028 and 2050. Expected benefits include reduced delays and increased efficiency.

Additionally, at the Connecting Europe Days conference in Brussels, the SESAR JU emphasized the importance of digital transformation to maintain Europe’s leadership in aviation technology. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted that approximately 70% of the world's airspace is currently managed using technology developed in Europe.