The digital transformation of air traffic management is essential to keeping Europe connected, supporting the efficient movement of people and goods and strengthening the competitiveness and resilience of air transport. At the 2026 edition of Connecting Europe Days (CED), held in Brussels (29 September – 1 October), the SESAR JU highlighted how European research and innovation is helping turn this ambition into reality, bringing together airports, industry and policymakers to advance the digital transformation of Europe's skies.
The importance of maintaining Europe's leadership in aviation technology was underlined by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her opening address of the conference. She highlighted that around 70% of the world's airspace is managed using technology developed in Europe. Her message was clear: Europe must remain at the forefront of innovation, with continued investment essential to sustaining this position.
Against this backdrop, SESAR JU Executive Director Andreas Boschen took part in two high-level panel discussions, exchanging views with representatives from the European Commission, EASA, EUROCONTROL, industry and aviation stakeholders on the priorities shaping the future of European aviation. The first discussion explored how Europe can maintain its leadership in air traffic management through innovation, strategic autonomy, partnerships and sustained investment. The second focused on strengthening the links between research, industrial competitiveness and policy, and accelerating the transition from innovation to industrial deployment.
A further highlight was the launch of a new joint publication by SESAR JU and ACI EUROPE, Smarter Airports, Stronger Europe: Delivering Aviation Transformation. Presented to European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the publication brings together first-hand experiences from airports across Europe, demonstrating how SESAR solutions are improving airport operations, strengthening performance across the wider aviation network and supporting the deployment of innovative solutions. It also highlights how better-connected airports can contribute to a more integrated and multimodal transport system for European citizens.
These themes were brought to life during a dedicated press visit to Brussels Airport's airport operations centre (APOC), organised on the sidelines of Connecting Europe Days as part of the Connecting Europe by Air programme. The APOC is an example of SESAR-supported innovation in airport operations, bringing together real-time information from across the airport to improve situational awareness, coordination and decision-making among operational stakeholders. While particularly valuable for major airports with complex operations, the underlying concepts and solutions can also be adapted to regional airports, helping them improve operational efficiency, make better use of resources and strengthen their integration into the wider aviation network.
Throughout the event, SESAR JU also participated in the exhibition alongside the SESAR Deployment Manager, engaging with stakeholders from across the aviation and wider transport sectors to showcase how European ATM research and innovation is contributing to a more connected and efficient transport network. A highlight was the visit to the joint stand by Magda Kopczyńska, Director-General for Mobility and Transport at the European Commission, providing an opportunity to exchange views on the role of SESAR in shaping the future of European aviation.
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