Press Release: Europe’s aviation sector calls for EU to continue investment in the Digital European Sky
Brussels – 24 February 2026 – The three main associations representing European airlines, airports and air navigation services providers (ANSPs) call for ministers from EU Member States meeting today to support continued co-funding of SESAR – the Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research project.
With air traffic growing and European skies forecast to become more crowded, the development and deployment of new air traffic management (ATM) technologies is essential to create more airspace capacity. The full SESAR cycle, which goes from R&D to deployment, plays a crucial role in the digital and technological transformation of ATM systems, infrastructure and services, enhancing the competitiveness of the European aviation industry. Deployment of SESAR solutions already delivered €7.5bn worth of cumulative benefits by 2025, and the Draghi report ‘The future of European competitiveness’ estimates that this figure will reach €34.2bn by 2035. EU funding has acted as catalyst for private investments in ATM modernisation and remains essential for harmonised implementation. The dedicated industry support vehicle SDIP, acting as the SESAR Deployment Manager, has been instrumental in reaching these results.
Under the European Commission’s proposals for the EU’s multiannual framework (MFF) for the years 2028-2034, there would be increased financing for the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), which, with the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), includes the deployment phase of SESAR projects. The three associations have therefore co-signed an open letter by 45 European transport organisations to call on the General Affairs Council and Finance Ministers to strengthen European funding for transport under CEF. Only with strong and state-of-the-art transport infrastructure will Europe be able to ramp up its resilience and military preparedness, reinforce its industrial competitiveness and safeguard its supply chain sovereignty.
Ourania Georgatsaku, Managing Director of Airlines for Europe (A4E): “Air traffic management demands are constantly evolving – and we need systems that can adapt and keep pace. Sustained funding for SESAR is essential as it contributes to securing a resilient, future-proof air traffic management system. This is no time to scale back commitment and take our foot off the pedal.”
ACI EUROPE Director General Olivier Jankovec said: “SESAR is an unequivocal success story of European public-private partnership, with clear benefits for all air transport stakeholders and the European communities they serve. Sustained investment in research, innovation and deployment is essential to strengthening Europe’s competitiveness. European airports are strongly committed to advancing the Digital European Sky, dedicating significant financial and human resources to its implementation. Continued EU support is critical to maintain momentum and ensure the full delivery of SESAR’s benefits.”
Enrico Parini, CANSO’s Director Europe Affairs, said: “SESAR is key for the competitiveness, strategic autonomy and sustainability of the European aviation industry. We have therefore joined this letter to ask EU governments to maintain sufficient funding for CEF so that deployment of SESAR projects can continue beyond 2027.”
