The Council took note of a progress report presented by the Presidency on a regulation on the establishment of a joint undertaking to develop a new generation European air traffic management system (SESAR = single European sky air traffic management and research). It invited the Permanent Representatives Committee to prepare the dossier with a view to reaching a general approach at its meeting in June.
SESAR is the technological part of the "single European sky" initiative, launched in 2004 to reform the organisation of air traffic control. It will introduce new communication, control and computing technologies between the ground and aircraft which will optimise the work of air-traffic controllers and pilots. SESAR is aimed at boosting the safety and environmental performance of air transport and at ensuring that Europe remains at the forefront of the world aviation market. The Commission adopted its communication and a proposal for the regulation in November 2005.