Overview
The future ATM system concerns the entire ATM community. ATM is seen as a critical element in the air transport value chain and key to connecting Europe’s regions while making it a global hub for mobility and prosperity. The focus of ATM modernisation needs therefore to reflect a greater focus towards increased efficiency and effectiveness while sustaining or even improving the levels of safety and security. At the same time, it must also recognise the need to provide solutions to address critical capacity bottlenecks. ATM modernisation should continue to look at the flight as a whole, e.g. end to end, within a flow and network context, and not in segmented portions of its trajectory, as is still the case today. With this in mind, the vision will be realised across the entire ATM system, offering improvements at every phase of a flight from early planning to complete execution. This vision is building on the notion of “Trajectory Based Operations” and relies on the provision of Air Navigation Services in support of the execution of the business or mission trajectory - meaning that Airspace Users can fly their preferred trajectories without being constrained by airspace configurations. This vision is enabled by a progressive increase of the level of automation support, the implementation of virtualisation technologies and the use of standardised and interoperable systems.
The solutions resulting from SESAR 1 and common projects, as well as further R&D under SESAR 2020, will contribute to the above-mentioned improvements and benefits to be realised through the gradual implementation and deployment of the SESAR Target Concept. The SESAR Target Concept aims to achieve high performing ATM by enabling airspace users to fly their optimum trajectories. This concept relies on the effective sharing of information between air and ground actors throughout the business or mission trajectory lifecycle.