LISBON, May 29, 2026 — Nine European institutions showcased their joint vision and progress toward a more modern and effective air traffic management system in Europe at Airspace World, the annual three-day ATM trade fair that took place in Lisbon this week.
The nine organisations ran a joint stand under the concept Europe for Aviation (E4A), laying out their complementary activities and joint projects and explaining how, together, they are shaping a more modern and competitive European airspace.
“We represent a united European ATM community working toward one shared goal: a smarter, more connected European sky,” Filip Cornelis, Director for Aviation at DG MOVE at the European Commission said in a speech at the stand. “Unlike most other exhibitors here in Lisbon we are not providing ATM services. Our role is assisting the operational stakeholders, and of course the Member States and partners, to shape the environment in which the ATM system works in Europe. We are putting the strategic processes in place to create a more modern and competitive European airspace.”
E4A brings together the European Commission, the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), EUROCONTROL, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the European Defence Agency (EDA), EUROCAE, the SESAR Joint Undertaking (SESAR JU), the SESAR Deployment Manager (SESAR DM) and the European Union Agency for the Space Programmes (EUSPA).
The E4A partners align policy, innovation, deployment, operations and funding sources to create real operational impact and deliver benefits for passengers, economy and environment.
ATM is the process of managing a flight from the moment it leaves the gate until its safe arrival at its parking position at the destination airport. With the demand for air transport steadily increasing, an already densely filled airspace in Europe, growing geopolitical tensions requiring greater flexibility for military operations, and with sustainability aims calling for the most fuel-efficient processes and trajectories, the race is on to modernise ATM. The aim is to create higher capacity while delivering on environmental goals and maintaining the strong safety record.
This modernisation entails applying digital and interoperable processes to overcome the fragmentation that has historically existed in Europe and increase performance. Enabling factors include centralised certification processes, harmonisation, faster deployment of innovation and civil-military coordination. The overarching vision is for safe, sustainable and efficient operations.
Airspace World 2026 took place from May 26-28, 2026 in the Portuguese capital, attracting around 7,000 aviation professionals from 145 countries.
E4A partners — what each contributes to the future of ATM
Each of the nine aviation organisations exhibiting in Lisbon has a specific role in the context of ATM described below. In some cases this is one element in a wider remit.
This role of each organisation is also captured in the downloadable infographic.
- European Commission: Sets out the long-term vision for a digital, sustainable and interoperable Union sky.
- CINEA (Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency): Funds sustainable and innovative aviation projects.
- EUROCONTROL: Advances highest standards of civil and military aviation and supports safe and efficient operations across the pan-European network.
- EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency): Keeps our skies safe, by ensuring certification and standardisation of ATM systems.
- EUROCAE: Develops worldwide recognised industry standards for aviation.
- EUSPA (European Union Space Programme Agency): Provides satellite services for precise navigation.
- SESAR Joint Undertaking: Drives research and development to deliver innovative and digital-ready ATM solutions.
- SESAR Deployment Manager: Turns innovation into reality by coordinating the deployment of new ATM solutions.
- EDA (European Defence Agency): Enhances air military mobility across Europe’s skies, assuring interface and interoperability between civil and military.
