KONTROLA LETENJE SRBIJE I CRNE GORESMATSA DOO BEOGRAD

Their core work

SMATSA is the national Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) for Serbia, responsible for managing air traffic control across Serbian airspace. In H2020, they contributed operational expertise to SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) projects focused on modernizing European air traffic management. Their involvement spans trajectory management, free routing, network coordination, and controller tooling — core capabilities for any organization managing busy continental airspace corridors. As a third-party contributor, they provided real-world ATM operational data, validation environments, and practitioner insight to large-scale European aviation research.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

All four projects were initiated in 2016 as part of the SESAR 2020 Wave 1 programme, so there is no meaningful temporal evolution to observe. The portfolio represents a single coordinated entry into European ATM research across multiple SESAR solution areas simultaneously. Without earlier or later H2020 participation, it is not possible to identify a directional shift in focus.

SMATSA's concentrated SESAR participation in 2016 suggests they may expand into SESAR 3 or Horizon Europe aviation programmes as Serbia deepens its integration with EU airspace management standards.

How they like to work

SMATSA participates exclusively as a third party — linked to projects through a SESAR Joint Undertaking member rather than applying directly. Despite this indirect role, they connect to a broad network of 76 partners across 25 countries, reflecting the large-scale nature of SESAR consortia. This pattern is typical for non-EU ANSPs contributing operational validation and airspace data without leading research design.

Connected to 76 unique partners across 25 countries through SESAR consortia, giving them exposure to virtually every major European ANSP, aviation research centre, and ATM technology provider. Their network is wide but indirect, built through third-party participation rather than direct consortium membership.

What sets them apart

SMATSA manages strategically important airspace — Serbia sits on major European transit corridors connecting Western Europe with Southeast Europe and the Middle East. This makes them a valuable validation partner for any ATM research requiring real-world testing in high-traffic continental airspace. For consortium builders, they offer access to a non-EU ANSP perspective, which is critical for pan-European interoperability projects.

Highlights from their portfolio

• PJ18 4DTM
  4D trajectory management is a cornerstone of SESAR's vision for future ATM — the longest-running of SMATSA's projects (through 2020), suggesting deeper involvement.
• PJ06 ToBeFREE
  Free route airspace is particularly relevant to Serbia's role as a major overflight country, making SMATSA's operational input especially valuable here.
• PJ10 PROSA
  Focuses on the human factors side of ATM — controller tools and team organisation — complementing the more technology-driven trajectory projects.