A6 Alliance marks 10 years by reaffirming commitment to the Single European Sky

The A6 Alliance today marks its 10^th anniversary by reaffirming its commitment to the modernization and digitalization of air traffic management (ATM), delivering a safe and sustainable future for aviation.

Over the past 10 years, A6 Alliance quickly became an important player and a key stakeholder of the Single European Sky and has made significant and remarkable contributions to delivering the European Commission’s SESAR 2020 Programme and the Single European Sky objectives:

- The A6 Alliance has played a key role and actively contributed to the SESAR JU, including activities related to ATM Master Plan (editions 2012, 2015 and 2020).

- The A6 has developed a strong relationship with the A4 (Airlines), the airports and the manufacturing industry, thus laying the groundwork for a robust and strict coordination and cooperation in the view of the SESAR deployment.

- The A6 Alliance leads European‐wide technical activities validated and co‐funded by the EC for their consistency with the SES framework. Through the EC Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) financial program, successive proposals and actions driven by the SESAR Deployment Manager allowed significant contributions to ATM industry implementation projects within SESAR Common Projects deployment priority.

- The A6 has developed proposals for improvement of the ATM system in Europe, leading and driving digitalization from concept to deployment with a target towards more air/ground automation and efficiency by means of the SES Digital Backbone and its components.

- The A6 achievements have contribute to increasing interoperability in the European ATM framework.

- The A6 has ensured that ANSPs coordinate their efforts with regards to the future European ATM system also to embed newcomers.

- The A6 has prepared common strategic positions regarding operational/technical, policy and legal regulations proposals prepared or led by the EU institutions/bodies together with other partners (Airspace Architecture Study, Wise Persons Group, RP3, CEF funding, CP1 proposal, SES2+ recast, etc.).

- The A6 has revised their investments to best address the ongoing crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the impact that COVID-19 has had on the aviation industry, the A6 Alliance and its members remain committed to modernizing Europe’s airspace for the benefit of airlines, passengers and the environment. We will continue to work together to develop and deploy the latest tools and technologies, building on what we have already achieved, to deliver a digital Single European Sky and a sustainable future.

Janusz Janiszewski, Chief Executive of PANSA and Chair of the A6 Alliance Steering Board said I I thank all those who have supported the A6 over the past 10 years and extend my congratulations to all members  on what they have achieved.

As we begin to look towards our industry’s recovery from the huge impact that COVID-19 has had, the members of the A6 Alliance remain committed to working together to modernize Europe’s airspace by developing and deploying the latest tools and technology that will deliver a digital Single European Sky, support our airline partners and mean a sustainable future for our industry.”

The A6 Alliance was  founded by the six ANSP members of the SESAR JU – DFS (Germany), DSNA (France), ENAIRE (Spain), ENAV (Italy), NATS (UK) and NORACON – a consortium including Austro Control (Austria), AVINOR (Norway), EANS (Estonia), Finavia (Finland, now Fintraffic), IAA (Ireland), LFV (Sweden) and Naviair (Denmark). In 2020, Skyguide (Switzerland) joined the Alliance.

About A6 Alliance

The A6 Alliance includes the largest air navigation services providers in Europe, responsible for safe management of more than 80% of Europe’s air traffic. The group was established in June 2011 to coordinate the research and development and investment of the providers within the SESAR programme (Single European Sky ATM Research). Our focus is on the key strategic areas of common interest to our members, influencing the transport and aviation regulations to support our industry’s development. Our members represent more than 70% of the investment in the future European ATM infrastructure, working together to identify and deploy the latest technology to deliver benefits to our airlines customers, passengers and the environment.