Aviation is one of Europe’s greatest industrial achievements — a sector that connects people, powers economies and drives technological leadership. It supports 15 million jobs and contributes €1.1 trillion annually to the EU economy. Europe leads the world in civil aircraft production and air traffic management (ATM) technologies, accounting for 58 percent of the global market share in new civil aircraft and 47 percent of the order book as of 2024. Additionally, 70 percent of global airspace is managed by European ATM technologies.
Europe can be proud of this thriving industry — the result of decades of collaboration and sustained investment by both public and private partners. This technological leadership is a testament to Europe’s commitment to innovation and excellence. But imagine a world where Europe no longer leads in aviation: what would that mean for the flights we take, the jobs in our communities, and the technologies that make travel safer and cleaner? With the global race for technological leadership heating up, and other world regions investing heavily in future aviation, Europe risks falling behind. Europe’s aviation sector is under pressure. If we want aviation to remain a strong pillar of Europe’s competitiveness and sovereignty, we must act now — with long-term, coordinated investment in research and innovation (R&I).
But imagine a world where Europe no longer leads in aviation: what would that mean for the flights we take, the jobs in our communities, and the technologies that make travel safer and cleaner?
This is the central argument of the Aviation Research and Innovation Strategy (ARIS): a new strategy that will be unveiled at today’s Paris Air Show and handed over to the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas. ARIS is a wake-up call, as it urges the EU to make aviation R&I a strategic priority in the next Multiannual Financial Framework.
A total funding of €66 billion is needed between 2028 and 2034 — with one-third (€22.5 billion) requested from the EU in dedicated funding and the remainder from member states and the private sector. To put that into perspective, €22.5 billion over seven years represents just 0.13 percent of the EU’s annual GDP. This is a modest price for a return on investment that is immense — in skilled jobs and technological leadership, but also critically in meeting Europe’s climate goals, securing global competitiveness, and reinforcing sovereignty and economic resilience in a rapidly changing world.
What makes ARIS unique is that it is not a top-down plan. It was drawn up by close to 100 of Europe’s top aviation leaders.
What makes ARIS unique is that it is not a top-down plan. It was drawn up by close to 100 of Europe’s top aviation leaders — a cross-section of manufacturers, airlines, air navigation service providers, airports, drone operators, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups, academia, and research organizations — facilitated by our two partnerships, the SESAR and Clean Aviation Joint Undertakings.
From hydrogen aircraft to digital air traffic systems, Europe has the solutions but not always the means to bring them to market. If we don’t bridge that gap, someone else will. Global competitors are already investing boldly in civil and defense innovation, accelerating market uptake, and pushing ahead with their own aviation ambitions. If Europe delays, others will shape the future of aviation without us.
To seize this moment, we would like to make the following recommendations to the European Commission:
First, dedicate long-term EU funding to aviation R&I. This funding must span the full innovation pipeline — from upstream research at early technology readiness levels to technology maturation and demonstration on ground or in flight for technologies targeting new aircraft programs and ATM solutions. Second, target EU funding to support not only research but also the industrialization and deployment of aviation technologies in operational service — both for aircraft and ATM technologies. Bridging the gap between research and market uptake demands targeted support beyond Technology Readiness Level 6 to enable scaling, synchronized deployment and the launch of new solutions in operations. This includes the development of aircraft programs, and the implementation of the ten strategic deployment objectives outlined in the European ATM Master Plan. Without such investment, the benefits of upstream R&I cannot be realized. This effort must be coordinated at the EU level, in partnership with member states and industry, to unlock technological and industrial leadership and meet Europe’s climate and competitiveness goals.
Third, foster collaboration across borders, sectors and technology readiness levels by closely aligning all European actors, academia, research organizations, SMEs, start-ups and industry with deployment and regulatory bodies. Early coordination with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency is key, as is collaboration with the defense sector for dual-use technology potential and with international partners to expand impact and market reach. Additionally, synchronized deployment of ATM innovations in line with the European ATM Master Plan needs to be ensured. By coordinating investment and policy, Europe can lead the world in aviation safety, efficiency and sustainability — and secure its technological sovereignty for decades to come.
Europe already has successful models for collaboration: the SESAR and Clean Aviation Joint Undertakings have shown what is possible when public and private actors join forces. What’s needed now is scale, speed, and long-term commitment.
Europe already has successful models for collaboration: the SESAR and Clean Aviation Joint Undertakings have shown what is possible when public and private actors join forces.
The decisions being taken now, especially those regarding the EU’s next R&I framework, will determine whether Europe remains a leader in sustainable aviation or becomes dependent on others. The choice is ours.
Let’s not look back in a decade and realized we missed the moment. Let’s make the investments now that will secure Europe’s leadership for decades to come.
We know what it takes — we now just need the political will to do it.
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