SESAR is the technical implementation programme for the Single European Sky (SES). It is a three-phase project to develop the next generation European ATM System. The first phase (Project Definition) was ran from 2005 to 2008. The cost of the Project Definition phase (60 million Euros) was co-funded by the European Commission under Trans European networks and by Eurocontrol. It delivered an ATM Master Plan for the creation of the next generation European ATM System. The second phase of SESAR (Development) is being overseen by the a Joint undertaking (JU); the founding members of which are the EC and Eurocontrol. The European Council adopted the JU Regulation in February 2007 and the SESAR JU Administrative Board had its first formal meeting in June 2007.

Project Definition Phase

The SESAR Definition phase is a study which aims to propose actions and measures to plan, research, validate, develop and support the implementation of a new European ATM System to cope with forthcoming demands. Its ultimate deliverable will be the ATM Master Plan. The SESAR Consortium has been set up to develop the Master Plan and join the forces and expertise of 29 companies and organisations together with 20 associated partners; from airspace users, airports, air navigation service providers, supply industry and many others, including safety regulators, military authorities, pilot and air traffic controller associations and research centres as well as Eurocontrol. The CAA has been actively involved in the Definition phase, contributing to work packages and reviewing draft deliverables.

The Project Definition phase will produce six main deliverables over a period of two years, covering all aspects of the future European ATM System.

D1 - Air Transport Framework
D2 - The Performance Target
D3 - The ATM Target Concept
D4 - The ATM Deployment Sequence
D5 - The SESAR Master Plan
D6 - The Work Programme for 2008-2013

For detailed descriptions on each of the main deliverables, D1 to D6, refer to the Information Library section of the European ATM Master Plan Portal.

Development Phase

SESAR's development phase will run from 2008-2013. Using the precedent of the Galileo project as a model, the European Commission has promoted the idea of a JU to take forward the SESAR project beyond the Project Definition phase and through research and development to the point of deployment. Membership compsises representatives from Eurocontrol, the European Union and industry. The JU model is seen as a convenient means of bringing together both public and private investment, as well as a framework for governance. The regulation to set up the JU was approved by the Transport Council in February 2007 and the SJU itself was established as an organisation with an Executive Director and offices in Brussels by the end of 2007.

Further details on the background, composition and work of the SJU are available from the SJU website.