Each year, over 900 million air passengers travel to, from, and within the European Union, making up one-third of the global air travel market. Air transport enables the right to free movement of people and goods across the EU. Aviation is vital to the EU’s economy and job market, supporting nearly five million jobs and contributing €300 billion or 2.1% to the European GDP. With over 100 airlines, more than 400 airports, and 60 air navigation service providers, the European aviation sector is a key driver of connectivity and economic growth.
However, this important sector is facing growing operational challenges. First, aviation emissions are a major contributor to climate change and the sector needs to develop sustainably to reduce its environmental footprint while maintaining efficiency and safety. Second, with global air traffic expected to increase by 50% by 2050 and emerging developments like drones, automation, artificial intelligence, and advanced aircraft reshaping the industry, urgent action is needed to ensure that new technologies can integrate seamlessly with conventional aviation. Third, airports and air traffic management are facing increasing demand, which can lead to congestion and delays.
To tackle these challenges, the EU has co-financed projects managed by CINEA worth €4.5 billion since 2014, supporting the aviation sector through programmes like the Connecting Europe Facility, Horizon Europe, and the Innovation Fund.
In total, 359 projects funded under these three programmes have, for example:
- improved transport infrastructure by supporting electrified ground services at airports
- driven research and innovation to the first zero-emission aircraft certified in the EU and to the first drone self-charging ‘on-the-fly' in the world
- deployed 69 innovative technological solutions linked to the SESAR programme to improve air traffic management
These efforts are making air transport greener, safer, and more efficient and EU industry more competitive.
