SESAR JU announces candidate members

European aircraft maker Airbus, American manufacturer and innovator Honeywell, and aerospace, space and defence firm Thales, have made the shortlist to join the EU’s SESAR Joint Undertaking (JU).

The JU said it completed the evaluation and analysis process following a call of expressions of interest launched in July under Horizon 2020. Companies joining SESAR will be able to help shape the JU and be part of the SESAR 2020 research and innovation programme.

Other companies and consortiums having the opportunity to become a member of SESAR include: B4 Consortium (whose members include the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency and the Air Navigation Services of the Czech Republic); Coopans (which includes Naviair, Croatian Air Navigation Services Limited and Irish Aviation Authority); Frequentis AG (which includes Hungarian Air Navigation Services); the UK’s NATS; SEAC-SESAR European Airports Consortium (which comprises Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Heathrow, Schiphol and Paris airports); and the Swiss Civil and Military Air Navigation Services.

A final list of firms and consortiums that will have the opportunity to join SESAR will now be compiled as part of the SESAR 2020 membership process. The procedure will be completed by October 2015.