Frequentis leads European SESAR project to advance next-generation air traffic control systems

Europe’s air traffic system needs a more connected, resilient way of working so controllers can manage growing traffic safely and efficiently. Frequentis is leading the newly launched SESAR Joint Undertaking project, NATICA, to advance the future of air traffic management (ATM) through next-generation air traffic services (ATS). Launched in September 2026, the project will run for 36 months.

NATICA stands for Next-Generation ATS Platform for Innovative, Climate-Conscious, and Secure Air Traffic Management and focuses on implementing SESAR’s new Service Delivery Model, decoupling service provision from local infrastructure to increase interoperability and support the next generation of air traffic control platforms. NATICA will contribute to more efficient flight operations while supporting secure data exchange and resilient service provision across organisational and national boundaries.

NATICA will develop a future ATS platform for en-route and Terminal Maneuvering Area operations, enabling more seamless collaboration across control centres and national borders. By using open and standardised interfaces, the project will support highly automated, trajectory-based operations (TBO), improve scalability and resilience, and contribute to reducing the overall climate impact of aviation.

NATICA focuses on three core innovation areas:

• An ATS platform based on a service-oriented, cloud-native architecture
• Seamless coordination and trajectory-sharing services supporting TBO as well as interoperable arrival management services across organisational boundaries
• AI-supported controller tools designed to assist, not replace, air traffic controllers by enhancing human-machine collaboration and keeping humans firmly in the decision-making loop

“With NATICA, we are taking an important step towards a more open, scalable and resilient ATM ecosystem,” said Michael Holzbauer, Director European Affairs ATM at Frequentis. “By coordinating this international consortium, Frequentis is bringing together the expertise required to make the new Service Delivery Model tangible for operational environments. The future of ATM depends on secure, interoperable, data-driven services and meaningful automation to support controllers in their daily work. NATICA allows us to validate these capabilities with leading partners across the aviation ecosystem.”

Strong consortium across the ATM ecosystem

The NATICA consortium brings together a broad group of aviation stakeholders, including air navigation service providers, airlines, research institutions and technology companies. Frequentis is leading key partners including BRIMATECH, Deutsche Lufthansa (DLH), DLR, DFS, GE Aerospace, Honeywell International, Leidos, NATS, NSL, NAV CANADA, Skyguide, NLR and LGS. Together, the partners will develop and validate core capabilities for the future ATS platform in line with the SESAR Master Plan. The project aims to validate its core technologies up to Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL6).

More information about the NATICA project is available on the SESAR Joint Undertaking website.

We will be hosting a webinar exploring the project further on 29 October, sign up here: