The importance of accelerating innovation to boost air traffic management (ATM) service provision was among the key topics discussed at the 42nd ICAO Assembly (23 September – 3 October, Montreal), where the SESAR Joint Undertaking (SESAR JU) participated as part of the European Union delegation. The Assembly brought together States and international organisations to set the direction for the future of global aviation, including endorsement of the 8th edition of the Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP).
One of the European contributions — Accelerating innovation in ATM service provision (A42-WP/225) — gained particular traction. The paper proposed the adoption of a service-oriented architecture (SOA) to enable faster, more modular delivery of ATM services. This service delivery model is a key component of the European ATM Master Plan and its vision for a Digital European Sky, aiming to deliver a more flexible, scalable, and sustainable air traffic management system. The same approach was subsequently reflected in the Assembly Resolution on the GANP, marking a significant step forward in embedding innovation principles into the evolution of the global air navigation system.
In total, four European papers were submitted on key air navigation topics, addressing innovation, resilience, and safety — themes at the heart of SESAR’s research and innovation programme:
- Accelerating innovation in ATM service provision (A42-WP/225)
- GNSS resilience in a radio frequency interference (RFI) environment (A42-WP/204)
- Strengthening the safe integration of space launches and reentries into global airspace management (A42-WP/225)
- Increasing aviation resilience to hazardous meteorological events ((A42-WP/215)
Regarding the endorsement of the GANP, it was agreed to update it every six years rather than three. Another notable outcome was the establishment of a roadmap of minimum capabilities to support the modernisation of global air navigation.
In parallel, the SESAR JU took part in the ICAO Innovation Fair, which preceded the Assembly. Executive Director Andreas Boschen joined a high-level panel moderated by Christian Schleifer-Heingaertner, then Representative of Austria on the ICAO Council, alongside representatives from, the National Research Council of Canada, Australia, Jamaica, Brazil and Airbus. The discussion explored how innovation, sustainability and safety can advance together, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in modernising aviation processes, and how innovation “sandboxes” can help accelerate adoption and public acceptance of emerging technologies such as advanced air mobility (AAM).
Also at the Innovation Fair, Mohamed Ellejmi, Deputy Head of the Network Manager Airport Unit at EUROCONTROL, underlined that certification should be integrated throughout the innovation process, not left until the end. He highlighted SESAR’s work on advanced surface movement guidance and control systems (A-SMGCS) and the PEACOCK demonstrator, which is trialling low-cost systems for regional airports, as examples of practical innovation.
During their stay in Montréal, the SESAR JU visited NAV CANADA’s facilities. The programme included exchanges on strategic priorities and trajectory-based operations (TBO) plans, and visits to the Montréal area control centre and tower operations. The visit also underlined the global reach and relevance of SESAR Solutions, including the deployment of time-based separation – intelligent approach (TBS) at Toronto Pearson International Airport in 2022.
