SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) is the European Union’s initiative aimed at modernizing air traffic management (ATM) across the continent. Through the adoption of advanced technologies and innovative solutions, SESAR seeks to make the ATM system more efficient, safe, and sustainable.
In this context, SESAR supports the Clean ATM 2 project by promoting solutions that reduce the environmental impact of air traffic and contribute to the green transition of the sector.
The CLEAN ATM 2 initiative addresses the synchronised implementation of Regulation (EU) n. 2021/116 – the Common Project 1 (CP1) – in full accordance with the provisions and timeline set in the SESAR Deployment Programme 2022. It aims at implementing key technologies that are commonly acknowledged as those in most urgent need of be deployed, to ensure the overall efficiency and environmental sustainability of Air Traffic Management in Europe.
Coordinated by the SESAR Deployment Manager, the CLEAN ATM 2 project pushes forward the Europe-wide adoption of two key CP1 elements: - Extended Airport Operations Plan, a rolling plan that allows the major European hubs to reduce congestion, delays and unnecessary carbon and noise emissions in their day-to-day operations.
By also integrating the local Plans with the Network Operations Plan, overall benefits will propagate across the full European ATM Network, enabling for further efficiencies of air traffic operations. - System Wide Information Management, a set of common standards, protocols and digital services that allow Aviation stakeholders to exchange meteorological and flight information in a seamless way, allowing the overall ATM Network to be managed more efficiently and individual organisations to take the best operational decisions. The CLEAN ATM 2 project brings together 41 operational stakeholders (Airlines, Airports, ANSPs, Computer Flight Plan System providers (CFSPs), the Network Manager, etc.) from 20 EU Member States, thanks to a set of 8 Implementation Projects executed in a synchronised manner.
Due to its content, the CLEAN ATM 2 project possesses a truly pan-European dimension, as benefits will spread to passengers flying across whole EU and even towards the neighbouring States. When combined, the 8 initiatives will allow the management of air traffic across Europe to immediately become more efficient, smarter, interoperable, safer, more resilient, and more environmentally sustainable.
EXOPAN implementing project at Milan Malpensa
As one of the 8 implementing projects in the CLEAN ATM 2 framework, EXOPAN (EXtended Airport Operations Plan and IntegrAtion with the Network) is an initiative aimed at enhancing the efficiency and resilience of airport operations through improved data sharing and integration with the broader air traffic management network. Among the participants in this project is Milan-Malpensa airport.
Key Objectives of EXOPAN:
- Enhanced Data Sharing;
- Operational Efficiency and Resilience;
- Performance Monitoring Services: through four primary performance services:
- Steer Airport Performance Service; o Monitor Airport Performance Service;
- Manage Airport Performance Service;
- Post-Operations Analysis Service.
These services collectively aim to provide a holistic approach to monitoring and managing airport performance.
A key element of this effort is the development of the extended Airport Operations Plan (eAOP): a tool through whichEXOPAN seeks to support both landside and airside operations.
The eAOP is envisioned as a central platform for collecting, processing, and sharing operational data. It will facilitate seamless coordination among airport stakeholders and with the Network Manager (NM), enhancing a shared situational awareness that is crucial for quick, effective, data-driven decision-making.
At airports like Milan Malpensa, the adoption of the eAOP will help reduce congestion, delays, and unnecessary carbon and noise emissions during day-to-day operations. The eAOP will integrate both existing airport systems and those under development, providing a comprehensive, real-time view of the terminal (including waiting times, crowd levels, and the operational status of all subsystems) and the apron (including stands, traffic flow, aircraft, and ramp equipment). The eAOP will be the central system used by different airport stakeholders inside the APOC.
The APOC (Airport OPerations Center) is a centralized control room with the aim of coordinating airport operations, promoting a shared vision and collaboration among stakeholders for real-time and short-term decision-making. Additionally, by integrating the eAOP with the Network Operations Plan (NOP), benefits will extend beyond individual airports, contributing to improved efficiency and resilience across the entire European network. This implementation will be rolled out at 19 major European hubs by 2027.
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Benefits of EXOPAN:
The implementation of EXOPAN is anticipated to yield several significant benefits:
- Cost Savings: More efficient operations can lead to reduced operational costs for airports and airlines.
- Fuel Efficiency: Improved coordination and planning contribute to optimized flight operations, resulting in lower fuel consumption.
- Environmental Impact: Reduced fuel usage leads to decreased carbon emissions, supporting environmental sustainability efforts.
- Time Savings: Enhanced operational efficiency can lead to reduced delays and improved punctuality for flights.
- Digitalization: The project promotes the digital transformation of airport operations, facilitating the adoption of modern technologies and processes.
By focusing on these areas, EXOPAN aims to create a more integrated and efficient European air traffic management system, benefiting all stakeholders involved.
Implementing Partners:
The EXOPAN project is a collaborative effort involving several key European aviation stakeholders, including, among the airports: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Brussels (leader), Copenhagen, Dublin, Frankfurt, Madrid, Milan-Malpensa, Munich, Nice, Palma de Mallorca, Paris CDG and Orly, Rome, Stockholm and Vienna.
In addition to those, there is the contribution – on the ANSP side – of Berlin and Dusseldorf and that of EUROCONTROL.
These partners collaborate to implement the mature elements of the eAOP across multiple airports, ensuring compliance with data exchange requirements between the AOP and the NM.
PROJECT NAME: CP1 Deployment – Synchronised Modernisation of ATM (Part 2)
PROJECT: EXOPAN
NUMBER: 101175469
FUNDING PROGRAMME: European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency
DURATION: 47 months
TOTAL BUDGET: 174.161.378,00€
EU CONTRIBUTION: 87.080.689,00€
SEA MILAN AIRPORTS CONTRIBUTION: 12.033.255,00€; (of which EU contribution € 6.016.627,50€)
COORDINATOR: Brussels Airport
