In a recent speech, Carmen Librero, Secretary General of Transport, Spanish Ministry of Transport, qualified SESAR a “transcendental project” to make Single European Sky a reality. Carmen Librero pointed out that the three pillars of SESAR, namely “innovation, efficiency and European integration” are necessary to overcome the current difficulties in Europe. She specifically mentioned that SESAR will promote the creation of jobs in air transport and aviation industrial sectors.

As part of a SESAR seminar organised by the Royal Academy of Engineering last November, Mrs. Librero confirmed that SESAR initiative is a priority for the Spanish Ministry of Transport. In effect, Spain’s 2012-2024 Infrastructures Transport and Housing Plan recognises the disadvantages linked to the current European airspace fragmentation and thus supports the investments in SESAR to increase air navigation services optimisation, even in the current budgetary pressures.

Carmen Librero reaffirmed that “Spain can only give full support to the SESAR JU, to successfully complete the Program”, given its positive effects on “the efficiency, competitiveness, environmental sustainability, employment and support to industry in Spain”. She was supported by Rafael Gallego, Operations General Director of Indra, who indicated that SESAR is “a major objective and a relevant instrument for industrial policy in Spain”, estimating that an adequate participation from Spain in SESAR would lead to the creation of over 5,000 direct jobs.

Mrs Librero further underlined the strong representation of the Spanish industry in SESAR: Aena, Iberia, Indra, Airbus, and also INECO and ISDEFE, as well as several Universities. She was joined by Mr Gallego, who estimates that Spain is, as a whole, the second contributor to SESAR, thus reaffirming Indra’s role and contribution to SESAR and supporting the extension of SESAR JU beyond 2016.

“Spain has more to lose than to win if it does not succeed, in the coming months, in consolidating its privileged position in SESAR. We should not lose the train of history, now that we are on board” concluded Mr Gallego.