CHIEF EXEC MEETING SUMMARY

DFT STAKEHOLDERS UPDATE ON SESAR

DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT  - 6 JUNE 2008

 

 

I represented the UKFSC at the DFT Stakeholders’ Update on SESAR. The background to the Meeting is in the Invitation Letter.

 

Slide Pack for each of the following presentations:

 

KEY ISSUES AND OUTCOMES

 

-                     By 2020, 15.8 millions flights in European airspace. The current system barely meets today’s 7.8million demand now.  Therefore, SESAR is essential and aims are to reduce delays by 40%, save 14M tons of CO2 and reduce ATM costs to the industry by half.

 

-                     SESAR has just completed its definition phase and is about to commence its development phase (2008-2013). The details are laid out in the ATM Masterplan at www.atmmasterplan.eu  which was briefed by Olaf Dlugi, the Head of the SESAR Definition phase.

 

-                     Eric Merckx as Eurocontrol’s SESAR project leader then described Eurocontrol’s part in the definition and development phases.

 

-                     Patrick Ky, the Executive Director of the SESAR Joint Undertaking (SJU), briefed his intent in the Development phase. His remit was to execute the ATM Masterplan with a budget of E200M per annum R&D. His major messages were:

 

o       SESAR brings a common vision to European ATM.

o       He aims to follow the Masterplan.

o       The Plan would be endorsed by EU Ministers by year end.

o       There is provision for stakeholder inputs.

o       The SJU has 30 staff with relevant industry experience.

o       Eurocontrol is inextricably linked into the SJU.

o       SJU principles are to be a small entity working in complementary fashion with others to deliver concrete results every 2 years.

o       SJU will work with NextGen and ICAO on global compatibility.

o       A sound business case will be developed  to underpin the required funding scheme since the airline industry is going to reluctant to contribute for the first 5 years

o       Ad hoc working arrangements with key players will be in place by end of 2008. Key players will be airspace users, airlines, business jets, NAAs, EASA and independent experts.    

 

-               David Hilton from NATS briefed SESAR from the UK perspective:

o       NATS regard SESAR as essential since UK airspace is at capacity and there is little else NATS can do with the current system to expand.

o       NATS are introducing advanced controller tools to bridge the demand gap between now and 2015

o       NATS are involved in SESAR now and are already sharing knowledge within Europe.

o       Advanced 4D projectory capability will be essential.

o       There is convergence into common method of ATM operations and architecture.

o       NATS expectations of SESAR are that :

§         It will create a viable, safe, efficient and environmentally sensitive ATM system.

§         It will facilitate and act as a catalyst for Single European Sky.

§         It will deliver early savings and benefits to customers.

 

 

 

RICH JONES

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

UKFSC