Stakeholders who are focussed on the regulatory agenda enjoy the most relaxed period of the year during summer, while their operational colleagues in control centres work at peak capacity. With early September approaching, we have Back to School or back into the office for the Brussels bubble. Are you already warming up for policy work once again? Which files and developments deserve attention? Global Airspace Radar provides you with a high level overview for European key dossiers to ease your personal catch-up.
SESAR’s financial crossroads: MFF negotiations heat up
The formal and informal negotiations on the Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF) of the European Union will resume and gain intensity. SESAR stakeholders must buckle up and strategically position their needs at the top of policy decision-makers’ priority lists. Addressees include both national ministries and Brussels institutions. Need a recap of the timing and what’s at stake? Read our comprehensive summary on the MFF here.
A major input for the MFF negotiations is the Aviation Research and Innovation Strategy (ARIS), presented in June 2025. The impact on MFF allocations will determine whether ARIS and the European ATM Master Plan end up as merely additional pieces of paper or will pave the ground for future co-funding between public and private entities.
The success of MFF advocacy will also determine the “next SESAR”. The framework for potential successors to the SESAR Joint Undertaking and the SESAR Deployment Manager is one of the strategic priorities during this regulatory period.
Common Project 2: The marathon begins
Part of the substantive work in SESAR, following publication of the ATM Master Plan 2025, involves building the legal foundation for Common Project (CP) 2, the successor to the current CP1 legislation. CP1 established the baseline for European co-funding for air traffic management and Single European Sky implementation.
After summer, associations and operational stakeholder groups start to define their CP2 priorities, aligning interests per operational segment before coming together collectively. Given the experience with CP1, this process will take up to three years before the implementing regulation is approved. It will require substantial resources and demands negotiation and mediation skills for all parties. The better prepared you are, the higher their chances of succeeding with your own priorities – a well-known fact to experienced participants.
Reference Period 4: Running without approved plans – again
Reference Period 4 (RP4) commenced in January 2025 and for many Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs), performance plans remain unapproved. It appears to be becoming habitual to plan years ahead before the start of a reference period – with all the political theatrics – only to finally enter a reference period with many unapproved plans.
Is this process fit for purpose? Rather not, in my view. The Commission and stakeholders would be well-advised to reconsider the structure of RP5 soon, along with the process in general. The topic is in many agendas and we will see activities ramping up. Get prepared if you want to influence the way forward.
New PRB in motion
As part of SES2+ implementation, the new governance for the Performance Review Body (PRB) is established. A call for new PRB members was issued in spring, though it required several attempts to secure sufficient applications. By early September, the new members of the PRB should be nominated, including a new chair.
The key question will be whether and how the new PRB will gain momentum and can provide input for upcoming policy discussions on performance and a revised RP5. Expectations are high. Can the new PRB be more than merely an administrator of the perceived outdated Performance and Charging Scheme?
Modulation of ANS charges – one day?
At the very top of the agenda over the upcoming 12-18 months will be the study on modulation of air navigation service charges to support the EU´s climate and environmental goals. The Commission’s obligation to conduct this study is mandated by SES2+ legislation, and stakeholders are preparing to feed their input into the process. Depending on the outcome, the study’s recommendations could have a significant impact on the structure of future ANSP fees. The time line for the study is not set yet by the Commission, stay tuned.
Military remains a priority
In the unchanged geopolitical environment, pressure to fulfil military demands will only intensify. This ranges from daily operation to airspace restructuring projects for military training and to further increasing cybersecurity requirements in ATM systems. For advocacy, the military has a strong say in all of the regulatory files in preparation.
New roles, new people
At the end of the day, people drive agendas. The DG MOVE team is now well into its stride following changes in leadership roles. On the association side, CANSO’s new Director Europe took office on 1 September. Together with his peers at A4E and ACI, he has the obligation to align his members on joint interests regarding MFF, the future of SESAR and CP2, while managing the diverse ANSP community. We also see further changes at the ANSP leadership level, with new CEOs at Skyguide and LVNL, complementing recent changes at Naviair and AirNav Ireland.
Last but not least – summer lessons
Stakeholders who are focussed on the regulatory agenda enjoy the most relaxed period of the year during summer, while their operational colleagues in control centres work at peak capacity. With early September approaching, we have Back to School or back into the office for the Brussels bubble. Are you already warming up for policy work once again? Which files and developments deserve attention? Global Airspace Radar provides you with a high level overview for European key dossiers to ease your personal catch-up.
