New Report from Leiden University's International Institute of Air and Space Law
Research report
The International Institute of Air and Space Law (IIASL) at Leiden University has released a report highlighting that the European Air Traffic Management (ATM) transformation is hindered more by regulatory complexity and political fragmentation than by technological limitations.
The report, Flagship for Air Traffic Management Transformation: Continuing the Journey, presents findings from the Third Transformation Support Strategy (TSS) Workshop that the IIASL facilitated in November 2024 and was written by Prof. Steven Truxal, Tuvana Aras, Oyku Kurtpınar and Dr Benjamyn I. Scott.
This workshop examined European ATM transformation through SESAR's Strategic Deployment Objectives, focusing on virtualisation, environmental performance, and data link modernisation. The findings reveal a fundamental paradox: despite technically viable solutions being ready, implementation is delayed by regulatory uncertainty, political barriers, and challenges in balancing operational stability with innovation.
The workshop examined three critical areas of ATM transformation:
- Virtualisation of ATM Infrastructure: The transition to cloud-based, modular architectures
- Green Trajectory Optimisation: Balancing environmental goals with operational realities
- Data Link Modernisation: Enhancing air-ground connectivity for improved performance
Across all areas, the report reveals that while technical solutions exist, implementation is hindered by regulatory frameworks, stakeholder alignment challenges, and the complexity of managing change while maintaining operational stability.
The report concludes that the path forward requires early incentives for adoption, stronger industry commitment, and enhanced regulatory standards that align technological advancements with operational needs.
The full report is available as part of IIASL’s Research in Aerospace Law & Policy series, which can be found here.
The International Institute of Air and Space Law’s (IIASL) Research in Aerospace Law & Policy series features early-stage research, policy analysis and position papers. Published work includes preliminary findings, policy recommendations and institutional reports through which the IIASL aims to inform public debate and policymaking, and accelerate academic discourse while strengthening the impact of our research on legal and policy developments in the field.