Delivering SESAR

How will SESAR be deployed?

The Deployment phase of the SESAR programme is aimed at implementing the next generation ATM infrastructure in Europe by 2020+. It is one of the most important challenges for the whole ATM industry - those that will ultimately be responsible for carrying out its implementation.  

SESAR Deployment will be governed through three layers – the political, management and implementation levels.

Discussions are currently underway around how SESAR will be deployed. The European Commission has publically recognised the leading role operational investors - ANSPs, airports and Airspace Users - will have to play in the deployment process management activities within the new Deployment Manager.  

The A6  alliance is aligned with CANSO’s view in that the body responsible for deploying SESAR should be appointed as soon as possible. The A6 also agrees with CANSO in that the Deployment Manager should be a single legal entity set up by the main operational investors - the Airspace Users, ANSPs and Airports - with the appropriate expertise knowledge in the area of ATM/ANS implementation project and investments management.

It should have sole accountability for the definition, development, execution, monitoring and maintenance of the Deployment Programme. In order to ensure buy-in and engagement from the key investing stakeholders - including civil and military - an appropriate consultation mechanism should be identified.

What are Common Projects?

A key regulatory element of deployment governance is the Common Projects concept.

Common projects are the key programmes of work that need to be synchronized and co-ordinated across the industry.  This is the legal instrument that will be used to facilitate EU funding and financing of the Deployment Programme.

The A6 is keen to ensure that significant investors such as Airspace Users, civil/military ANSPs and Airports are properly engaged in deployment. It also believes that they should be invited to endorse the benefits before a common project is adopted and certainly before States and stakeholders are committed to their implementation.

What is the ATM Master Plan?

The ATM Master Plan is the reference document on which all Common Projects and the Deployment Programme contents will be built. One of its aims is to ensure full alignment between the development phase and deployment phase of SESAR.

The first edition of the Master Plan was endorsed by the Transport Council of the European Union on 30 March 2009. It was derived from the ‘SESAR Master Plan’ which was issued in May 2008 and was one of the six main deliverables from the definition phase of SESAR. In July 2010, a minor update was made to the Master Plan.

The second edition of the ATM MP was approved in principle by the SJU Admin Board this July. On 8th October the Commission adopted a decision to approve the proposed update and in doing so, set the EU position on the update of the Master plan in advance of the 12th ICAO Air Navigation Conference in November.

Whilst the current edition is a good starting point, it does require some improvements, particularly when it comes to the business view. The A6 will play an active role contributing to the next edition expected mid 2013 to ensure that it includes the consolidated deployment costs for all stakeholders, as well as an assessment of the benefits it will facilitate for all stakeholders.

A task force reporting to the SESAR JU has been created with two working levels: a Tiger Team which includes an A6 representative and a group of experts called the Sherpa Team which also includes A6 experts.

A final draft report will be submitted to the SESAR Joint Undertaking in December 2012. The next update of the Master Plan will be available in 2014.

When will SESAR deployment happen?

SESAR deployment is a complex process and involves several stakeholders and entities in different steps and is interlinked with both research and development outcomes and planning activities. Timing is crucial for its success. As such, operational stakeholders are urging the EC to accelerate setting up the Deployment manager - an essential requisite for the modernisation of the European ATM infrastructure.