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.
