Representatives of 21 EU aviation and workers associations have signed a joint declaration committing to a set of concrete actions to implement the vision of a Single European Sky (SES) to enhance Europe’s airspace.

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The Single European Sky initiative was launched in 2004 with the goal of improving the performance of air traffic management (ATM) in Europe in terms of safety, capacity, cost-efficiency and environment. And in light of growing air traffic and societal and technological developments, the momentum for a reform of the Single European Sky continues to grow.

 

Resultantly, at the recent ‘Digital European Sky’ conference – organised under the Finnish Presidency of the EU – representatives of 21 EU aviation and workers associations signed a joint declaration committing to a set of concrete actions to finally and fully implement the vision of a Single European Sky (SES). 

 

The joint declaration was signed by A6 Alliance, A4 Airline Grouping, A4E, AIRE, ACI Europe, ASD, ATCEUC, Borealis Alliance, B4, CANSO, COOPANS, Drone Alliance Europe, EBAA, ECA, EHA, ERA, Gate One, IATA, IFATCA, IFATSEA, and IAOPA. The group stated that its declaration “sends a strong signal that the SES vision can only be achieved through the collaborative and co-ordinated efforts of all stakeholders, including Member States and the European Institutions”. 

 

Addressing aviation’s future challenges

 

Global passenger traffic is expected to double by 2037 – accommodating this growth while at the same time addressing aviation’s environmental and social impacts is key. “The Single European Sky is an effective way to address European aviation environmental challenges by delivering an efficient and integrated air traffic management system. It will require the introduction of new technologies, interoperability of systems, harmonised regulation and adequate infrastructure,” the group said in a statement.

 

In addition to easing passenger delays unseen in decades, implementing the SES initiative would help mitigate climate change by cutting 18 million tonnes of CO2 annually in Europe alone, according to the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) – the leading organisation for operators of business aircraft in Europe, and one of the signatories of the Declaration.

 

“Europe and its citizens deserve an efficient and sustainable airspace, and we hope that the full implementation of the SES vision will lead to these much-needed improvements,” the group concluded.