NATS and Lilium have officially become members of the SESAR Joint Undertaking (SESAR JU), joining forces with stakeholders from across the aviation industry to deliver the Digital European Sky.

NATS, a leading air navigation service provider, and Lilium, a pioneer in electric air mobility, will  contribute to the SESAR JU’s task of advancing cutting-edge technologies and forward-thinking solutions to make European ATM smarter and more sustainable. Their adhesion signals a recognition of the importance of collaboration, especially in an industry such as ATM, where no one organisation alone can make the transformative changes needed. By working together, SESAR JU ensures that Europe remains at the forefront of global innovation in aviation, ready to meet the challenges facing the sector, from climate change, growing traffic density and the new security context.

The new members joined the 54 existing members for the SESAR JU Governing Board meeting on 25 June, where discussions centred on the latest developments in the SESAR JU’s research and innovation programme and the campaign to update the European ATM Master Plan, the  roadmap for air traffic management (ATM) modernisation.

Filip Cornelis , Director of Aviation DG MOVE and the Chair of the SESAR JU Governing Board shared the positive sentiment of two new members joining the Governing Board of the SESAR JU, saying: “SESAR JU has now 57 members. It shows the continued attractiveness of the SESAR cooperative environment. NATS and Lilium will bring valuable expertise and a strong commitment to the group.”

Andreas Boschen, Executive Director of the SESAR JU, welcomed the new members, stating, "The addition of NATS and Lilium to the SESAR Joint Undertaking marks a significant milestone in our journey towards a modern, digitalised European sky. Their expertise and innovative spirit are invaluable as we work together to enhance the safety, capacity, and sustainability of European air traffic management."

"As a longstanding contributor to the SESAR programme, we are delighted to have our associated membership of the SESAR 3 JU confirmed,” said Martin Rolfe, CEO of NATS. “We’re grateful to all members of the SESAR JU for the spirit of cooperation they have shown, and we are excited to play a pivotal role in advancing ATM technologies for the benefit of the entire European aviation community."

“We are very thankful to become a new member in this great initiative. Research and development are very important elements of our business strategy, SESAR projects play an important role,” says Stephen Vellacott, CTO of Lilium. “Since 2023, Lilium is actively contributing to two major SESAR projects in the field of eVTOL – OperA and EUREKA. Becoming a SESAR JU member is confirmation of our collaboration over the last years and strongly supports our industry to establish air operations and our own path to entry into service.”

More about NATS and Lilium and the SESAR JU Membership