Integration of the next generation aircraft for zero/low emission aviation

Funded projects will deliver: 1) Comprehensive ATM requirements and recommendations for seamless integration of hydrogen, battery-electric and hybrid-electric aircraft into European airspace by 2035; 2) Enhanced TBO framework and sustainability-oriented ATM concept prototypes (green taxi, wake energy retrieval, advanced separation schemes) adapted to diverse performance envelopes; 3) Adapted ATM platforms, airspace configurations, route designs (SID/STAR, RNP) and ATFCM processes supporting mixed conventional and zero-emission traffic; 4) Defined future traffic demand scenarios (2035, optional 2040+/2045+) with policy impact assessments; 5) Wake turbulence criteria, vortex spacing guidelines and certification support for new generation aircraft; 6) Quantitative evaluation of CO2 emission reduction and H2 contrail impacts at fleet scale, and assessment of other KPAs (capacity, access, equity); 7) Roadmaps for regulatory and safety standard updates for air navigation and aerodromes in coordination with EASA; 8) Strategic recommendations for ATM development to ensure safe, efficient, and minimally disruptive operations of next-generation aircraft, underpinning the European Green Deal’s zero-emission aviation goals.

Proposals must: 1) Cover hydrogen (combustion and/or fuel-cells), battery-electric and hybrid-electric aircraft entering service by 2035 (and optionally 2040+/2045+); 2) Analyse new performance envelopes and diverse fleet-mix impacts on ATM procedures, separation, sequencing and capacity; 3) Assess airport operation changes (turnaround, ground-handling, refuelling, engine start-up) and AOP/NOP integration; 4) Evaluate and propose enhancements to TBO and sustainability-oriented ATM concepts (e.g., green taxi, wake energy retrieval); 5) Adapt ATM platforms, route design (SID/STAR, RNP) and airspace management to new propulsion characteristics and failure cases; 6) Model traffic demand evolution under multiple policy scenarios and define future demand scenarios representative of 2035 (and longer-term) demand balancing payload, range, speed and infrastructure constraints; 7) Conduct wake turbulence and vortex spacing research to refine separation criteria; 8) Quantify environmental impacts at fleet scale (CO2, H2 contrails) and other KPAs (capacity, access, equity); 9) Identify required updates to regulatory frameworks, means of compliance and safety standards for both air navigation and aerodromes; 10) Demonstrate coordination with AZEA initiative, Clean Aviation JU and EASA to ensure safety alignment.