The Xunta de Galicia and the SESAR Joint Undertaking (SESAR JU) have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to strengthen collaboration in research and innovation (R&I) for air traffic management (ATM). The agreement aims to explore how regional capabilities can contribute to shaping the Digital European Sky, accelerating the development of safer, smarter, and more sustainable aviation.
This is the second such cooperation agreement between SESAR and a European region, underscoring the role that regional actors can play in advancing the Digital European Sky and helping deliver Europe’s environmental and competitiveness goals.
The signature of the cooperation coincides with the launch by Galicia of its Strategic Security, Defence and Aerospace Initiative 2025–2030, which sets out the region’s ambition to strengthen its aerospace sector and foster innovation across dual-use technologies. Within this framework, the SESAR JU and Galicia will work together to explore opportunities to coordinate research and innovation activities that support the modernisation of European air traffic management.
The cooperation will also look at how Galicia can serve as a regional testbed for innovative air traffic solutions, leveraging its strong industrial and research base. The region brings recognised expertise in aeronautical communications (including satellite systems), integration of uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) into controlled airspace with detect-and-avoid capabilities, flight simulation and ATM interoperability, and airport facilities suited to demonstrations and regulatory sandboxes.
“This agreement shows how regional innovation ecosystems can contribute to the Digital European Sky,” said Andreas Boschen, Executive Director of SESAR JU. “By joining forces with Galicia, we can translate cutting-edge research into tangible benefits for citizens, such as safer, more sustainable, and more connected air mobility.”
“Galicia has long recognised aerospace as a strategic sector for our economy,” said María Jesús Lorenzana Somoza, Regional Minister of Economy and Industry of Xunta de Galicia. “Through this cooperation with SESAR, we aim to position Galicia as a testbed for innovation and to ensure that our research and industrial capabilities actively contribute to Europe’s technological leadership in aviation.”
