The Turkish DGCA and SESAR Joint Undertaking jointly organised the second SESAR workshop at Istanbul Technical University between March 20 and 21 2013. The workshop was a result of a strong mutual interest of having the Turkish stakeholders in Aviation and ATM involved as partners in the SESAR work programme. The workshop was attended by some 100 participants from across the Turkish organisations, Universities, Aviation and ATM industry.
The workshop presented the current developments in SESAR in general, as well as more detailed presentations on key topics and discussions in key areas of mutual interest such as 4D trajectory, SWIM, Network, Airport and Airline operational planning, as well as long term and innovative research and RPAS.
Although it was recognised that some Turkish stakeholders already participate in different ways in the SESAR work programme, the meeting discussed the opportunities for enhancing and broadening this involvement both in the short and medium term. The workshop concluded that the SESAR JU extension (subject to approval) would give a concrete opportunity to the Turkish stakeholders (Turkish ANSP, Airports, Airlines, Research institutes, ATM industry and Universities) to consider applying for full membership, either alone or in a consortium.
It was in particular agreed that there is an upcoming opportunity in 2013 with the planned Call for Tender regarding SESAR Demonstration activities, particularly in the area of SESAR Airport and TMA efficiency improvements, where an offer of participation of the Turkish ANSP, Airlines and Airports would be most welcome.
As the workshop mutually recognised the necessity of an enhanced Turkish participation in SESAR, the Turkish DGCA and the SESAR Joint undertaking decided to continue bilateral activities through the focal points in Turkey and in the SESAR JU with the aim to further inform and raise awareness of relevant topics of interest to Turkey.
The Turkish DGCA decided to appoint a dedicated focal point on SESAR and communicate the relevant contact details to the SJU before 1st of April 2013.
Mr. Bilal EKŞİ Director General stated that since the last SESAR seminar in Turkey 22-23 September 2010, we have seen a few of the Turkish stakeholders engaging in SESAR but we are not satisfied. The importance of SESAR for Turkey is well recognised and we see a more active and integrated involvement with the SJU in the upcoming calls for demonstration’s as well as in the work programme to be developed as a result of the proposed SESAR Extension scope. He also mentioned about the expertise of the R&D industry and underlined the need for alignment and involvement with SESAR.
The Vice Rector of ITU Mr Ali Fuat AYDIN stated that SESAR will shape the future aviation and ATM system and so far the participation level in SESAR of the Turkish industry is not sufficient, an increased involvement of Turkish Universities in SESAR needs to deepen with a higher level of concreteness to the benefit for Turkish Universities and research institutes and SESAR.
Mr Patrick KY, Executive Director of SESAR – shared the view of the DG and the Vice Rector and concluded that the active participation of Turkish stakeholders in SESAR is important not only for SESAR but also for Turkey bearing in mind its very expansive traffic evolution both in the enroute airspace and at airports like Istanbul. For SESAR, this would mean an opening of opportunities to research and deploy concrete operational and technical improvements beyond the EU borders to the benefit of the European and global ATM network.
