Overview
SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking is an institutionalised European partnership between public and private sector organisations that modernises air traffic management through research and innovation, with the aim of delivering the Digital European Sky. It was launched on 14 December 2021 under Council Regulation (EU) 2021/2085 and is based at Avenue de Cortenbergh 100 in Brussels, with a staff of 40. Its scope covers conventional aircraft, drones, air taxis and higher-altitude vehicles. Between 2021 and 2030 it invests more than EUR 1.6 billion: EUR 600 million from Horizon Europe, up to EUR 500 million from Eurocontrol and at least EUR 500 million from industry, plus at least EUR 200 million from the Connecting Europe Facility for demonstrators. Work runs through nine flagship areas and a pipeline of exploratory research, industrial research, large-scale demonstrators and a fast-track mechanism. In February 2026 it selected 42 projects worth just over EUR 350 million, spanning quantum computing for trajectory optimisation, AI-driven climate modelling, drone operations management and GNSS jamming resilience. The SESAR JU maintains the European ATM Master Plan, whose 2025 edition was published on 12 December 2024. Earlier programmes were SESAR 1 (2008-2016, EUR 2.1 billion) and SESAR 2020 (2016-2024, EUR 1.6 billion). Andreas Boschen has been Executive Director since 1 July 2022, after eight years at the European Commission managing Connecting Europe Facility support for SESAR deployment. The Governing Board is chaired by the Commission (DG MOVE).
Funding history
- 2008-2016 SESAR 1: EUR 2.1 billion from FP7 and Trans-European Network funds
- 2016-2024 SESAR 2020: EUR 1.6 billion, including EUR 585 million from Horizon 2020 and EUR 10 million from the Connecting Europe Facility
- 2021-2030 SESAR 3 JU: EUR 600 million Horizon Europe, up to EUR 500 million Eurocontrol, at least EUR 500 million industry, at least EUR 200 million Connecting Europe Facility for demonstrators
Stated facts & numbers
- Founded: 2021 (SESAR 3 JU, launched 14 December 2021)
- Headquarters: Brussels (Avenue de Cortenbergh 100)
- Employees: 40
- Executive Director: Andreas Boschen (since 1 July 2022)
- Legal basis: Council Regulation (EU) 2021/2085
- Programme budget 2021-2030: More than EUR 1.6 billion
- Members: EU, Eurocontrol and more than 50 organisations
- Governing Board chair: European Commission (DG MOVE)
In the news
- What will it take to scale Europe’s drone market? We’re joining the conversation in Brussels. 🇪🇺 On 9–10 November, the European drone community meets at the EU Drone Summit, organised by the European Commission with the support of the FOD Mobiliteit en Vervoer / SPF Mobilité et Transports and SESAR Joint Undertaking, to shape the next steps of the EU Drone Strategy 2.0. Unifly will be there. 🎙️ On Day 1, Jean-Pierre De Muyt, our Head of Regulatory Affairs, joins the Panel: "Technical and operational enablers of scaling drone
- Taking innovative air mobility to new heights! 🌍 The #SESARJU-funded VERTI-GO-airmobility project is developing and validating solutions to support the safe integration of uncrewed aircraft systems into existing air traffic management #ATM and U-space operations, paving the way for more efficient and scalable urban air transport. 🎥 Discover how the project is helping to shape the future of aviation: https://lnkd.in/ep7_9edX #DigitalSky #Innovation #IAM #Aviation Honeywell Aerospace Jolana Dvorska Jiri Ilcik
- Not mythological, but technological! The new #SESARJU ARTEMISA SESAR Project is paving the way for a more flexible and service-oriented approach to delivering air traffic services across Europe. 💡 By developing a new generation of air traffic service platforms, #ARTEMISA aims to boost #automation, interoperability and digitalisation, supporting the evolution of the #DigitalEuropeanSky. 🤝 Coordinated by Indra Group, the project brings together industry partners and air navigation service providers to help shape
- Wrapping up 4️⃣ amazing days at the EASN - European Aerospace Science Network Conference ISAE-SUPAERO 🧑🏼💻 Showcased our #SESARJU projects during the poster sessions 🎤 Engaged in thought-provoking panel discussions with industry partners 👀 Shared our #ATM expertise 🧠 Quizzed visitors on their knowledge of the #DigitalEuropeanSky 🙌 Looking forward to more innovation and collaboration! #SESARJU #Innovation #Aviation #Research #EASNConference #EASN2026
- Our October #enews is out with the latest updates on #SESARJU #research and #innovation, including: 📌 #ProjectoftheMonth: PEACOCK – Connecting regional airports to the European aviation network 📌 Spotlight on #SESARJU member Air France 🇫🇷 📌 Proposal sets the next phase of coordinated #ATM deployment in Europe 📌 The road to Cork starts here – registration is open for #SIDs2026 🇮🇪 📌 Highlights from the successful #SJUAnnual26 and Connecting Europe Days 🙌🏼 📌 Decoding the 10 priorities shaping the future of Europe’s
- Strengthening international cooperation for the future of air traffic management! We were delighted to welcome a delegation from the Republic of Korea to #SESARJU for fruitful discussions on #ATM modernisation and potential opportunities for future collaboration. ✈️🌍 Together, we explored how international cooperation can help drive innovation and shape a smarter, safer and more efficient aviation future. #DigitalSky #MOLIT #KARI #IncheonInternationalAirport #국토부 #항우연 #인천공항 Incheon Airport Group
- Curious to find out more about #SESARJU projects? We’re at the EASN - European Aerospace Science Network Conference in #Toulouse, sharing the latest insights and developments from #SESARJU projects 👇🏼 🔹 The ImAFUSA project developed an impact and capacity assessment framework for U-space societal acceptance to help local authorities, other stakeholders and users implement socially acceptable and beneficial urban air mobility in cities. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eWBCDCXW 🔹 The #JARVIS project focused on developing three
- The fastest player just nailed the #SESARJU quiz at EASN - European Aerospace Science Network Conference, scoring 38 points! 💪 Think you can beat the top score? 🤔 🛫 Test your #SESARJU knowledge at our stand and get a chance to win a prize! #SESARJU #Innovation #Aviation #EASNConference #EASN2026
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