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When creating the Air Traffic Alliance in 2002, Thales, Airbus and EADS had the objective of modernising ATM and driving the implementation of both a pragmatic and innovative ATM approach to support air transport future growth.

To keep up with these challenges, the Air Traffic Alliance is committed to the ambitious SESAR project, the operational complement to the Single European Sky legislation. It is viewed as the necessary momentum to gather resources and investments as well as harmonise the actions of the stakeholders of the ATM community.

Under the supervision of EUROCONTROL, the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation and with the backing of the European Commission, the 50-partner SESAR consortium, including airports, air navigation service providers, airlines, manufacturers (aircraft, ground systems, etc.), pilots and air traffic controller associations and the defence community is working on the definition phase (2006-2008). The Definition Phase will be followed by a Development Phase and a Deployment Phase. The Development Phase (2008-2013) will focus on the development of equipment, systems and standards as well as on the validation work to be conducted. The corresponding activities are defined in the Milestone Deliverable 6 "the Work Programme". The Deployment Phase (2014-2020+) will focus on the implementation of changes in the European ATM network, in accordance with the main result of the SESAR Definition Phase: the European ATM Master Plan.

The involvement of non European companies guarantees fully interoperable solutions to the air transport current challenges.

The operational vision proposed by the definition phase is both pragmatic and revolutionary. A large spectre of tomorrow's critical issues are currently being addressed through the development of the concept of operations, based on the following elements:

• operations based on better forecasting,
• implementation of an efficient information network,
• optimisation of the use of airport resources
• development of improved tools incorporating more automation.