ATC
Study: Sesar Benefits Depend on Timely Deployment
The economic, environmental and efficiency gains promised under the Single European Sky ATM Research (Sesar) program are “extremely sensitive” to timely im
Air traffic controllers at Eurocontrol’s Maastricht Upper Area Control Center in the Netherlands will be managing traffic using Sesar in the coming years. (Photo: Eurocontrol)
Air traffic controllers at Eurocontrol’s Maastricht Upper Area Control Center in the Netherlands will be managing traffic using Sesar in the coming years. (Photo: Eurocontrol)

The economic, environmental and efficiency gains promised under the Single European Sky ATM Research (Sesar) program are “extremely sensitive” to timely implementation of the air traffic control modernization effort across Europe, according to the Sesar Joint Undertaking (SJU).

The on-time implementation of Sesar, compared with a scenario in which no modernization is attempted, would have a positive impact on European GDP from 2013 to 2030 of €419 billion ($604 billion), or a two-percentage-point increase in projected GDP annual growth, states a recent study commissioned by the SJU, a partnership of companies and stakeholders leading Sesar implementation. A delay of 10 years would cost €124 billion ($178 billion) directly to GDP, rising to €268 billion ($386 billion) when indirect supplier benefits and “induced” benefits are included.