SESAR Deployment Manager

SESAR Deployment Manager
Name	SESAR Deployment Manager
Type	Public–private partnership
Founded	2014
Headquarters	Brussels, Belgium
Area served	European Single European Sky
Key people	Ingo Rado (Chair), Yves Robins (CEO)
Products	ATM modernisation, European Air Traffic Management

SESAR Deployment Manager SESAR Deployment Manager coordinates deployment of airborne and ground-based Air Traffic Management (ATM) solutions across Europe to implement the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) system. It acts as a central implementation body linking national authorities, European Commission, Eurocontrol, European Union member states, and industry partners to deliver harmonised operational improvements for civil aviation across the Schengen Area, European Union Aviation Safety Agency, and other European stakeholders. The organisation aligns technological roadmaps with regulatory frameworks such as the Single European Sky regulatory package and collaborates with major aviation actors including air navigation service providers and manufacturers.

Overview

SESAR Deployment Manager functions as a coordination and implementation platform for ATM modernisation involving actors such as European Commission, Eurocontrol, European Union Aviation Safety Agency, Airbus, Boeing, Thales Group, Indra Sistemas, Frequentis, Honeywell International Inc., Leonardo S.p.A., Saab AB, ATC providers like NATS (air traffic services), DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung, and ENAV. It consolidates deployment plans, defines Common Projects under the Single European Sky legislative framework, and oversees interoperability between systems used at airports such as Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Paris–Charles de Gaulle Airport, Frankfurt Airport, Madrid–Barajas Airport, and London Heathrow Airport. It engages with research initiatives including SESAR Joint Undertaking, Horizon 2020, Clean Sky, and programmes involving European Space Agency, EASA technical standards, and civil-military coordination like NATO interoperability exercises.

History and Establishment

Following the research and initial validation phases led by the SESAR Joint Undertaking and pilot actions involving industry players such as Airbus, Boeing, and Thales Group, SESAR Deployment Manager was established to coordinate deployment across European Union member states and associated partners. Its creation responded to deliverables stemming from the Single European Sky policy and legislative steps debated in the European Parliament and enacted by the Council of the European Union. The organisation built on historical programmes and stakeholders including Eurocontrol’s European Coordination Centre, national bodies such as UK Civil Aviation Authority, Direction générale de l'Aviation civile, and major airports and airlines like International Air Transport Association members and carriers such as Air France, Lufthansa, British Airways, and KLM.

Governance and Organisation

Governance is structured to represent public authorities, air navigation service providers, manufacturers, airports, and airlines. The decision-making bodies include a Board with representatives from entities like European Commission, Eurocontrol, national civil aviation authorities such as DGAC (France), Federal Aviation Administration for international coordination, and industry consortia including SESAR 2020 members. Operational leadership interfaces with programme managers from organisations such as NATS (air traffic services), DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung, ENAV, AENA, and corporate partners like Leonardo S.p.A. and Indra Sistemas. Advisory inputs come from expert groups with participants from European Union Aviation Safety Agency, EUROCONTROL Experimental Centre, and research collaborators like Cranfield University and Delft University of Technology.

Key Programmes and Projects

Programs align with Common Projects and Deployment Programmes, covering elements such as trajectory-based operations, advanced surface movement guidance, data link services, and remote tower implementations. Major initiatives link to validated SESAR solutions and trials at facilities like Eurocontrol Experimental Centre, airports including Gatwick Airport, Munich Airport, Rome–Fiumicino Airport, and technology partners such as Frequentis and Honeywell International Inc.. Projects include coordination with satellite-based navigation efforts by European Space Agency, integration with surveillance networks like Mode S and cooperative systems influenced by standards from EUROCAE, RTCA, and ICAO provisions. Deployment activities also involve harmonisation with military ATC systems and cross-border Functional Airspace Blocks like FABEC.

Funding and Financial Management

Funding mechanisms combine contributions from members, co-funding from the European Commission under instruments like Connecting Europe Facility, and in-kind and financial investments by industry partners including Airbus and Thales Group. Financial oversight integrates budgetary control from stakeholders such as national budgets of France, Germany, Spain, and Italy, and aligns with procurement and state aid rules adjudicated by the European Commission and legal frameworks of the Court of Justice of the European Union. Accounting and audit functions report to member representatives and engage external auditors and partners including multinational firms like PwC or KPMG in advisory roles.

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships

Stakeholder engagement spans airlines including International Airlines Group, Ryanair, easyJet, airport authorities, ANSPs such as NATS (air traffic services), DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung, and manufacturers including Leonardo S.p.A. and Saab AB. Partnerships extend to research consortia like SESAR 2020, funding programmes such as Horizon Europe, and coordination with regulatory agencies European Union Aviation Safety Agency and Eurocontrol. The organisation convenes working groups with airlines, airport operators, and unions like European Transport Workers' Federation and liaises with international bodies including ICAO and defence partners like NATO for interoperability.

Impact and Performance Metrics

Performance is monitored using metrics such as flight efficiency gains, delay reductions at hubs like Paris–Charles de Gaulle Airport and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, environmental benefits measured against EU Emissions Trading System targets, and cost-efficiency indicators for ANSPs including NATS (air traffic services). Reporting aligns with indicators used by European Commission and Eurocontrol including capacity, safety occurrences, and interoperability milestones. Deployment outcomes influence airline operations for carriers such as Lufthansa and Air France, airport throughput at Frankfurt Airport and Madrid–Barajas Airport, and contribute to broader EU mobility objectives defined by the European Green Deal and transport strategies enacted by the European Commission.

Category:Air traffic control in Europe