As Europe faces increasing air traffic demands and climate efficiency challenges, the SESAR Joint Undertaking's FASTNet project is preparing to validate two new solutions aimed at making flight operations more predictable and efficient and at showing the benefits of data-driven insights in the strategic and pre-tactical phases (from months in advance until D-1) of airport operations management.
FASTNet – short for Future dAta Services and applicaTions for airports and Network – brings together European airports, airspace users, industry and EUROCONTROL’s Network Manager to improve the way we manage air traffic. The project focuses on enhancing collaboration and data sharing between airports, airlines and the wider European Air Traffic Management Network (EATMN).
A smarter way to balance demand and capacity and to predict resource usage
FASTNet is developing and validating SESAR Solution 346, an innovative concept that replaces ‘one-size-fits-all’ restrictions with more precise, targeted actions. Rather than broadly delaying all inbound flights to a busy airport, the system allows airports to work together to identify and adjust only the specific flights that may cause bottlenecks.
This “cherry-picking” approach to flight regulation is designed to minimize delays and maximize efficiency across the network—cutting costs and reducing environmental impact in the process.
FASTNet is about using smarter data and closer collaboration to avoid unnecessary delays. We want to move from blanket restrictions to tailored decisions that make sense both locally and across the network.
FASTNet will also develop and validate SESAR Solution 347, which is designed to highlight the benefits of a data-driven approach to predict the demand or load on specific resources (e.g. security gates, baggage treatment etc) both at the airport level and across the wider network. Through reinforcing the information sharing between airports, airlines and the Network Manager, the aim is to ensure that the right information is shared as early as possible among key stakeholders, enabling tactical operations to be optimally planned.
Based on historic data from the different FASTNet partners, several different models have been developed using an approach based on machine learning. Examples of the types of models that have been developed as part of Solution 347 include:
- Passengers per flight forecast
- Prediction of passengers' presentation profile at security control for departing flights
- Predictions of the number of hold luggage items on a given flight
- Predictions of the number and impact of flow management regulations impacting the airport
- Early publication of flight intentions from participating airlines in order to improve traffic predictions at the network level
Testing the future: shadow and live trials begin
The upcoming validation exercises for Solution 346, scheduled to start in September 2025, will test a new approach to airport coordination in both simulated and real-world environments.
- Shadow mode trials will take place between Copenhagen (CPH) and Brussels (BRU). These simulations will replicate capacity constraints at BRU and evaluate how direct coordination between the airports—rather than broad restrictions—can solve the problem more efficiently.
- Live trials will be conducted between Athens (ATH) and Rhodes (RHO), where actual flight data and coordination will be used to manage real traffic conditions. Specific flights will be assigned optimized arrival times to ease pressure on RHO during busy periods.
Additionally, Athens will serve as a testbed for AI-powered taxi-time predictions, using machine learning to more accurately estimate when aircraft are ready for take-off. These improved predictions will improve the flow planning at both the local and network level.
The validation exercises for Solution 347, also scheduled to start in September 2025, will test a new data-driven approach in active shadow mode operations. This validation technique is designed to simultaneously show operational users the data available through FASTNet Solution 347 with that available in their existing systems and processes.
The validation exercises will take place in Paris Orly (ORY) airport with the participation of staff from the ORY Operations Engineering, ADP IT department, Airport Operations Centre (APOC), as well as INDRA and airline participation from Air France and Transavia. The link with the EATMN will be guaranteed by EUROCONTROL and the use of the Network Manager Validation Platform.
Next Steps: sharing what we learn
Once the trials are complete and results are analysed, FASTNet will share findings with the broader aviation community through a dedicated Open Day event. Details will be announced via SESAR’s communication channels.
The project’s results are expected to play a major role in shaping the future of air traffic management under the Digital European Sky initiative, with lessons learned feeding directly into SESAR’s innovation pipeline. By demonstrating the operational impact of real-time data and predictive analytics, FASTNet is paving the way for smarter, more resilient airport and network operations.
About FASTNet
FASTNet is part of the SESAR Joint Undertaking’s Digital European Sky programme and is co-funded by the European Union. It supports the development of data-driven, collaborative solutions to optimise airport and airspace operations in real time.
