EUROPEAN UNION AIR NAVIGATION SERVICES AND DIGITALIZATION

The "digitalisation" of the Single European Sky (SES) is a cornerstone for the upcoming evolution of European airspace management and air transport models. This transition, driven by the SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) initiative, represents a shift from traditional regulatory methods to a "regulation by layers" strategy that integrates technological innovation with governance. Key elements of this evolution include: Regulatory Framework: The process has evolved through several legislative stages, moving from Regulation 219/2007 to the recent Regulation 2085/2021, which established the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking. The Digital European Sky: This initiative seeks to build a high-performance, automated air traffic management (ATM) ecosystem. It aims to achieve "geographical decoupling," allowing service provision to be independent of national borders and physical infrastructure. Sustainability: Aligned with the European Green Deal, the new architecture prioritizes environmental sustainability, aiming to reduce emissions through optimized "green trajectories" and improved ATM efficiency. Emerging Technologies: The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and unmanned aerial mobility (U-space) is central to the 2035 vision. This introduces new legal challenges regarding human-machine "teaming," liability regimes, and data governance. Ultimately, the digital transformation of the SES aims to overcome the historical fragmentation of European airspace while balancing national sovereignty with the need for a harmonized, resilient, and sustainable aviation network