Shaping tomorrow’s aviation: project Innovations and the next generation at EASN 2025

Showcasing innovative projects and engaging with the next generation of aviation professionals were among the highlights for SESAR JU, which participated in the 15th EASN International Conference from 14 to 17 October 2025 in Madrid.

Organised by the EASN Association in collaboration with Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, the conference attracted more than 600 participants from academia and industry to discuss breakthrough concepts and disruptive technologies shaping the future of aviation and space, with a strong focus on sustainability.

Among the participants was a large community of students and young researchers, providing an ideal platform for SESAR JU to discuss the evolving landscape of air traffic management (ATM) and opportunities for the next generation, while showcasing projects advancing civil-military coordination, AI-based decision support, climate resilience, multimodal travel, and U-space separation management.

SESAR JU was actively engaged throughout the four-day conference, participating in panel discussions, technical paper sessions, poster exhibitions, and hosting a dedicated exhibition stand.

Conference panel

In the session "Re-charge innovation to re-gain Europe's competitiveness", SESAR JU Executive Director Andreas Boschen joined Markus Fischer (DLR), Axel Krein (Clean Aviation JU), and Andreas Strohmayer (EASN) to discuss strategies for strengthening Europe's role as a global leader in sustainable aviation. They pointed to the Aviation Research and Innovation Strategy (ARIS), which outlines Europe's vision for disruptive innovation, from zero-emission aircraft to the Digital European Sky, while reinforcing industrial capabilities and workforce development. He stressed: "Collaboration is vital for Europe to remain a leader in aviation. By aligning efforts across sectors and borders, we can turn innovation into real-world impact - boosting competitiveness, sustainability, and strategic autonomy."

Technical papers and poster sessions

A number of SESAR JU projects presented during parallel sessions including AWARE, ECHOES, F4EClim, IFAV3, KAIROS, PEARL, SPATIO, and ENSURE, sharing the latest research on innovative ATM solutions.

Two poster sessions featured 150 posters in total, including SESAR JU projects: ORCI, SATERA, SPATIO, AEROPLANE, ATM-EXCITE, U-AGREE, SIGN-AIR, and IFAV3. The sessions were well attended, with project representatives receiving positive feedback from both students and professionals.

Exhibition

TheSESAR JU maintained a strong presence through its dedicated stand, allowing participants to explore project outcomes and engage with communications staff and project representatives. Projects showcased included AWARE, ECHOES, Engage 2, F4EClim, IFAV3, KAIROS, PEARL, SPATIO, and U-AGREE. Participants had the opportunity to speak in more detail with SESAR JU experts, including Benoit Fonck, Chief Progamme Officer and Marcello Kivel Mazuy aviation expert, about the programme and some of the innovations being developed. A highlight was the interactive ECHOES hologram, demonstrating how satellite-based technologies can transform aviation connectivity, efficiency, and sustainability.

The stand also featured a quiz on SESAR activities, with participants testing their knowledge. Attendees were particularly interested in learning how to contribute to future SESAR research and innovation.

More about the conference: https://easnconference.eu/

Learn more about SESAR JU projects