AIR FRANCE SA

Their core work

Air France is one of Europe's largest airline operators, contributing to H2020 research as an airspace user — the entity that actually flies the routes and implements air traffic management (ATM) improvements in real operations. Their project participation focuses on optimizing flight trajectories, reducing CO2 emissions, and improving coordination between airlines and air traffic control networks. They bring irreplaceable operational reality to aviation research: real flight data, pilot workflows, and the practical constraints of running thousands of daily flights across European airspace.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Air France's early H2020 involvement (2016-2018) centered on core ATM infrastructure — satellite-based search and rescue beacons (HELIOS) and SESAR air traffic management improvements like trajectory sharing and arrival management. By 2020, their focus shifted decisively toward environmental sustainability, with ALBATROSS explicitly targeting green flight, CO2 reduction, and energy-efficient trajectories. This mirrors the broader aviation industry's pivot from operational efficiency toward decarbonization under growing regulatory and public pressure.

Air France is moving from pure operational ATM optimization toward environmental sustainability in aviation — expect future engagement in SAF, hydrogen aviation, and emissions monitoring projects.

How they like to work

Air France participates exclusively as a partner, never as coordinator — consistent with their role as an end-user validating research in real operational settings rather than driving the research agenda. With 34 unique partners across 13 countries, they connect into broad European consortia, particularly within the SESAR ecosystem. Their value to any consortium is clear: they are the airline that will actually test whether a proposed ATM or green aviation concept works in daily operations.

Air France has collaborated with 34 unique partners across 13 countries, primarily within the SESAR Joint Undertaking ecosystem connecting airlines, ANSPs, and aviation technology providers across Europe.

What sets them apart

Air France is one of very few major European flag carriers actively participating in H2020 aviation research. While most SESAR partners are technology developers or air navigation service providers, Air France brings the airline operator's perspective — they represent the end-user who must implement these solutions at scale across hundreds of aircraft and thousands of daily flights. For any consortium needing real-world airline validation, they are among the most credible partners available in Europe.

Highlights from their portfolio

• DIGITS-AU
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 1.5M) — demonstrates ATM trajectory sharing from the airspace user side, a critical piece of the SESAR puzzle.
• ALBATROSS
  Marks Air France's strategic pivot to green aviation, targeting energy-efficient flight inspired by nature — their most recent and forward-looking project.
• HELIOS
  Only non-ATM project in their portfolio, extending into space/satellite applications (Galileo/EGNOS) for aviation safety and search & rescue.