Funding the Digital European Sky: Next Steps

Deployment of SESAR solutions has already produced a cumulative benefit of €7.5bn by 2025, while the Draghi report projects this to rise to €34.2bn by 2035, underscoring that continued investment is required to expand airspace capacity and avoid bottlenecks as traffic grows across Europe.

Current financing proposals and what they mean for air traffic management

Under the European Commission’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) proposals for 2028–2034, increased financing is proposed for the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), which, together with the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), finances the deployment phase of SESAR projects. Industry representatives argue that EU funding functions as a catalyst for private investment and is essential to ensure harmonised, cross‑border implementation of new air traffic management (ATM) technologies.

Who is calling for continued support?

A coalition of 45 European transport organisations—backed publicly by associations including Airlines for Europe (A4E), ACI EUROPE and CANSO—has urged EU decision‑makers to strengthen CEF funding within the MFF. The coalition frames sustained investment as critical not only for improving traffic flows but also for strategic resilience, industrial competitiveness and supply chain sovereignty.

Industry positions summarized

• A4E (Ourania Georgoutsakou): emphasises adaptability of ATM systems and the need for sustained funding to maintain a resilient system.
• ACI EUROPE (Olivier Jankovec): highlights SESAR as a success of public–private partnership and stresses airports’ commitment to implementation.
• CANSO (Enrico Parini): links SESAR deployment to competitiveness, strategic autonomy and environmental sustainability of European aviation.

Deployment progress and measurable benefits

The SESAR cycle—from research and development through to deployment—targets improved capacity, punctuality and fuel efficiency via technologies such as trajectory‑based operations, enhanced surveillance and automation tools. The dedicated industry support vehicle SDIP, acting as the SESAR Deployment Manager, has been central to coordinating implementation across national boundaries and delivering measurable operational gains.

Key technical priorities

• Airspace capacity: trajectory management and dynamic sectorisation to handle peak traffic.
• Interoperability: harmonised standards across national ANSPs to avoid fragmentation.
• Sustainability: procedures that reduce fuel burn and CO2 through more direct routings.
• Resilience: systems designed to withstand disruptions and support military and civil coordination when required.

Operational consequences for airports, airlines and supply chains

Improved ATM functionality directly affects airport throughput, airline scheduling flexibility and freight reliability. Airports investing staff and capital into SESAR implementation expect gains in punctuality and reduced holding patterns, which in turn lower emissions and operating costs. For cargo and tourism supply chains, better predictability in flight operations helps preserve connectivity to peripheral regions and coastal Destinations, facilitating onward connections to marinas, ports and regional transport.

Practical effects on passengers and freight

• Shorter delays and fewer diversions at peak times.
• Improved predictability for time‑sensitive freight and just‑in‑time logistics.
• Reduced fuel consumption on average routes, supporting decarbonisation goals.

Historical context: how SESAR evolved and why EU funding mattered

The Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) initiative was launched to modernise Europe’s fragmented ATM landscape through coordinated R&D and joint deployment. Historically, national systems evolved independently, creating technical and operational silos. EU funding mechanisms—particularly CEF—have bridged capability gaps by underwriting cross‑border projects that individual states might underfund. The SDIP/SESAR Deployment Manager role was established to translate research outputs into operational changes at scale, aligning state, industry and airport interests.

Past rounds of CEF support demonstrated how matched public investments can unlock private capital, accelerate interoperability and reduce duplication. The SESAR model—moving from prototypes to harmonised fielded solutions—illustrates a public–private pathway for continental infrastructure upgrades that other transport modes have sought to emulate.

What happens if funding is scaled back?

Available scenarios range from slowed deployment and increased fragmentation to delayed benefits for users and the environment. A reduction in harmonised funding would likely push more risk to national budgets, lengthen timelines for roll‑out and impede the realisation of cross‑border benefits that underpin air connectivity and supply chain resilience.

Policy asks and recommended actions

Industry associations present a concise set of requests to EU policymakers designed to protect the deployment trajectory:

1. Secure increased CEF allocations within the MFF 2028–2034 to fund post‑2027 deployment phases.
2. Maintain matched funding frameworks to leverage private sector investment.
3. Preserve the central coordinating role of SDIP to ensure harmonised roll‑out.
4. Prioritise projects with clear benefits for resilience, environmental performance and cross‑border interoperability.

Short checklist for decision‑makers

• Assess CEF allocations against cross‑border deployment needs.
• Validate ROI case for SESAR components in national investment plans.
• Ensure stakeholder governance allows rapid decision‑making for deployment.

As Europe prepares debates on the MFF and CEF top‑up, these operational and financial stakes will determine whether SESAR’s theoretical gains translate into widespread capacity increases, emissions reductions and improved service for passengers and freight.

GetBoat (GetBoat.com) is always keeping an eye on the latest tourism news: sustained EU backing for SESAR and strengthened CEF funding would not only improve air connectivity and supply chain reliability but also influence access to coastal Destinations, marinas and beach gateways—affecting yacht and charter movements, boat transfers to islands, sailing schedules, captain logistics, superyacht operations and wider yachting activities across sea, gulf and ocean corridors; these developments tie into boating and fishing tourism, lake and water leisure, and the service ecosystems in marinas, clearwater resorts and sunseeker hubs.