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
- FINAL WEEK! 📣Calling all #ATM researchers, academics and innovators – don’t miss your chance to showcase your research at #SIDS2026, Europe’s flagship event for ATM research and innovation. Submit your paper or poster and join us in Cork this December! 🗓️ Submission deadline: 21 September 2026 📍 Cork: 7–11 December 2026 🎟️ Registration opens: 1 October 2026 🔗https://lnkd.in/eUyGBqrm 🤝 Supported by Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026, Cork Airport, Fáilte Ireland, Pure Cork, University College Cork and Atlantic
- The #NEURON project has officially kicked off! Funded by #SESARJU under #HorizonEurope, the NEURON SESAR project brings together 25 partners to shape the next generation of airport operations through advanced automation, #AI and digital technologies. 🛄 The project will develop and validate four solutions covering sustainable taxiing, aerodrome traffic awareness, #AI-based tracking for digital towers, and airport operational planning and network integration. ✈️ By bringing together airports, ANSPs, industry, research
- In one word, how would you describe the SAFIR-Ready Conference in #Liège? The SAFIR-Ready Conference marked a major milestone for the project, bringing together aviation authorities, European organisations, defence, and industry to reflect on the progress achieved and what must come next. We asked five leading experts to describe the event in one word and share the key message they took away from the conference: 🔹 Munish Khurana, Senior Manager ATM/UTM Business Development at EUROCONTROL 🔹 Daan D., Head of Department IAM at
- This week, Riccardo Massacci #SESARJU took part in a panel discussion at the #EASA AI Days 2026 in Cologne, alongside industry experts Dmitrii Kirov Collins Aerospace, Elisa Spiller, PhD Deep Blue, Dr Sameer Alam Air Traffic Management Research Institute (ATMRI), Nanyang Technological University, Romaric REDON Airbus, Andrew Kilner EUROCONTROL, Carmen Bruder and Dr. Mohsan Jameel German Aerospace Center (DLR). 🤖✈️ The panel highlighted industrial research projects exploring how artificial intelligence #AI can support the future
- Curious about progress towards the #digital #transformation of air traffic management #ATM in #Europe? 🧐✈️ Subscribe to the #SESARJU #enews & get the latest about our #research & #innovation on #smarter & more #sustainable #aviation 💡🍃 📱https://lnkd.in/eJSCD-ba #DigitalSky #Aviation
- Delighted to be part of the discussions at yesterday’s ATM Conference in Oslo, bringing together aviation stakeholders to discuss how Europe can remain competitive and prepared for the future. During the conference, our #ED Andreas Boschen underlined why #ATM matters for Europe – as critical infrastructure underpinning European #competitiveness, #resilience and #sustainability – and how #SESARJU is delivering the Digital European Sky and helping to transform Europe’s air traffic management system. As part of his visit to
- Two weeks to go! 📣 Calling all #ATM researchers, academics and innovators – don’t miss your chance to showcase your research at #SIDS2026, Europe’s flagship event for ATM research and innovation. Submit your paper or poster and join us in Cork this December! 🗓️ Submission deadline: 21 September 2026 📍 Cork: 7–11 December 2026 🎟️ Registration opens: 1 October 2026 🔗 Find out more and submit: https://lnkd.in/eUyGBqrm 🤝 Supported by Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026, Cork Airport, Fáilte Ireland, Pure Cork,
- LAST DAY] Don’t miss the chance to win #SESARJU’s 2026 Young Scientist Award! ➡️ Would you like to present your research to some of Europe’s leading aviation and #ATM academics at the SESAR JU Innovation Days #SIDS2026? ➡️ Looking to kick-start your career? This award could open the door to a wealth of exciting professional opportunities. Apply now!👇 https://lnkd.in/dW-CACfE #YSA2026 #Innovation #SESAR #DigitalSky #AirTrafficManagement
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