As early as 2024, Lufthansa will start implementing a fleet of up to 65 Airbus aircraft equipped with SESAR technology to transmit flight trajectory information in real time, a key enabler for improving flight predictability and reducing emissions. The announcement makes Lufthansa an early mover in implementing this new technology, which is mandated for all newly delivered aircraft and air traffic ground systems in the EU from 2028.

An optimised flight path saves fuel and reduces CO2 emissions. With the standard installation aboard A320neo/A321neo aircraft of this new, innovative technology, known as the automatic dependent surveillance contract extended projected profile (ADS-C EPP), Lufthansa Group will be able to exchange flight profile information in real time with ground air traffic control systems.

Developed within the framework of the SESAR research and innovation programme, ADS-C EPP will automatically transmit 4D flight path information generated by the aircraft's flight management system to air traffic control at any time. This so-called 4D flight trajectory describes the further course of a flight in the three spatial dimensions (length, width, height) as well as time as the fourth dimension. Based on the more precise information about the further flight path of an aircraft, air traffic control can control the airspace more efficiently and optimise the routing of the aircraft.

The Lufthansa Group's new aircraft equipped with ADS-C EPP will initially be able to use the new technology in Maastricht airspace (MUAC), which is the first airspace in Europe to meet all the requirements. The new technology is currently certified for aircraft of the Airbus A320 family and the Airbus A330neo. Looking to the future, the airline is working together with the SESAR Deployment Manager in the context of synchronised deployment, and air navigation service providers to ensure that it will be possible to fly even more fuel-efficiently in an increasing number of European airspaces as quickly as possible.

“Lufthansa Group is fully committed to accelerating to the modernisation of air traffic management. It is our hope that this investment is also a clear sign about the technology readiness and importance of the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking to continue driving its innovation forward, developing more solutions for the aviation community,” said Michael Nachtigäller, SJU programme committee member Lufthansa Group.

"The decision of the Lufthansa group to implement the Airbus ADS-C EPP technology is a clear recognition of the success of the SESAR collaborative work to develop, trial and demonstrate the benefits of this technology for a more digitalized and sustainable Air Traffic Management in Europe. As time comes now to implement it in real operations, Airbus is extremely proud to support the Lufthansa group in being an early adopter and early mover of this technology cornerstone of the Digital European Sky, “said Alain de Zotti, HO Aircraft Architecture & Integration, Airbus.

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