On 1 April 2014, I proudly took up the role of Executive Director and have already started to bring my skills and expertise to bear as I drive the next stage of the programme forward.

The SESAR Research and Innovation story so far

In stepping into this new role, I obviously couldn’t help but reflect on the incredible journey that the SESAR partnership has travelled since 2008.   Aviation is a fast moving mode of transport, and yet I don’t need to tell you that change in ATM happens at a much slower pace. Nevertheless, in a relatively short space of time, the SESAR members have succeeded in clearly defining a comprehensive ATM research programme and building a robust and effective sector-wide partnership. Since then, high-performance solutions are being made available for deployment in response to the sector’s needs. These solutions are now shared through the SESAR website, with the necessary operational and technical information (the “solution packs”) which I am confident will help to accelerate their early deployment.

Meeting our mandate

So the SESAR Research & Innovation partnership is clearly meeting its mandate - having established the technological pillar of the Single European Sky initiative - to modernise Europe’s ATM system; it is now recognised as a core element in the value chain for a more efficient and competitive European aviation industry. Looking beyond the European context, SESAR’s successful method of working has been one of the sources of inspiration for the creation of a new global approach to ATM modernisation, as reflected in the Global Air Navigation Plan by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). But we are only mid-way; the job is far from over. In the coming three years, our partnership must achieve its commitment to deliver the on-going SESAR programme ready for industrialisation and subsequent deployment. Time is therefore of the essence, as Europe needs, now more than ever, an efficient air transport system. Our customers and stakeholders demand both an increased rate of delivery and a greater focus on delivering deployable results that once in place will really make the difference in terms of benefits. Yet to have lasting change, we must have a much longer-term outlook of our work. That is why in the current programme we have established the means of connecting exploratory research to development and pre-industrial activities. This provides the ability to address both immediate, as well as long term societal and market challenges, as identified in the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) for aviation in Europe. And while the SESAR Joint Undertaking and the Programme are time-bound vehicles, I strongly believe that we must continue to have a vision which is bigger and bolder than the confines of time itself.  

2020 vision: performance-driven research and innovation

SESAR 2020 clearly articulates this performance and deployment-orientated approach but also a more flexible view of ATM research; it takes into account, changing markets, operating and legislative environments and the need for continuous and coordinated investment. To enable more efficient and resilient ATM operations, as well as to make swifter progress towards deployment, the Programme 2020 will focus research and innovation work on key components that have clear performance benefits and that will result overall in a leaner ATM system architecture. Deployment viability, and in particular enabling the transition to deployment, will also be facilitated within the Programme 2020 through very large-scale demonstrations and a strong coordination with the future Deployment Manager.  

Enriching the partnership

Within the overarching framework of the European ATM Master Plan, work has already started on the content and structure of the SESAR Research & Innovation Programme 2020.  It will be presented in June to the SJU Administrative Board, in order to launch a call for expression of interest, the first step in the renewed SESAR partnership.  All going to plan, the core programme activities will be ready to launch by July 2015, which will ensure a ramping-up of the new projects while phasing out the current programme. In doing this, we will build on our experience, leveraging the capabilities of our current and future members and partners, involving end users and coordinating with all stakeholders. We also review where necessary our way of working to further improve our efficiency and increase our impact. Ultimately, I believe that this intense work will enable us to further focus and prioritise our activities, generating a continuous pipeline from innovation to deployment.

 Picking up the pace

Let’s not be complacent, though as these are challenging but exciting times for the SJU and the SESAR Programme. I firmly believe that the ATM system is a key element and influential factor in the air transport value chain and our reputation, along with the European aviation industry and the airspace user competitiveness, is at stake with the challenge for its rationalisation and modernisation, through SES and SESAR.  I am eager to face these challenges and bring my applied understanding of the aviation business, deeply rooted customer focus and result-oriented attitude to focus, in order to pick up the pace and deliver performance-driven solutions for the next generation of European ATM system.  I trust that you will join me and the SJU team on this challenging journey and commit with us to deliver this next phase of SESAR and of the SESAR Joint Undertaking.