top of page

Climate-Aware Aviation Research Takes Off with Two New SESAR Engage 2 Catalyst Projects

  • Jul 10
  • 2 min read

Updated: Jul 22


2 July 2026 marked the official kick-off meeting of two innovative aviation research projects coordinated by AI Methods: ISSR-Aware and HARMONY-MRV. Funded through the SESAR Engage 2 Catalyst Programme, both initiatives bring together leading expertise in artificial intelligence, aviation operations, and air traffic management to support more sustainable aviation.


The kick-off meeting gathered representatives from the three project partners:


Held remotely, the meeting established the technical roadmap, collaboration framework, and initial work plan for the projects, reinforcing the partners' shared commitment to developing innovative digital solutions that help reduce aviation's climate impact.



ISSR-Aware

The ISSR-Aware project focuses on improving the forecasting of Ice Supersaturated Regions (ISSRs) to enable climate-aware Air Traffic Flow and Capacity Management (ATFCM). The project aims to develop advanced predictive models, quantify the climate impact of contrails, and deliver operational climate services that provide ATM stakeholders with continuously updated geospatial information for more sustainable flight planning.


Project objectives:


  • Objective 1:  Scientific Advancement (Predictive Modelling & Climate Impact Quantification)

  • Objective 2: Technology Development (Service Infrastructure & Continuous Learning)

  • Objective 3: Operational Validation (Integration & Feasibility Assessment)



HARMONY-MRV

The HARMONY-MRV project will develop a digital Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) service for aviation's non-CO₂ climate effects. The project seeks to increase confidence in the assessment of contrail climate impacts, explore the effects of NOx emissions, evaluate mitigation scenarios, and deploy new efficiency indicators supporting future regulatory and operational decision-making.


Project Objectives:


  • Objective 1: Increase confidence levels on climate effects of contrails

  • Objective 2: Explore the climate impact of NOx

  • Objective 3: Analyze exploratory what-if scenario

  • Objective 4: Deploy service and new efficiency indicators



Over the coming months, the project teams will work closely to develop innovative AI-powered methods and operational tools that contribute to Europe's transition towards more sustainable aviation. By combining expertise in artificial intelligence, atmospheric science, and air traffic management, the consortium aims to deliver practical solutions that support evidence-based decision-making and accelerate the adoption of climate-aware aviation operations.

AI Methods is proud to coordinate both projects and looks forward to working alongside UC3M and CRIDA to achieve their ambitious objectives throughout the projects duration.



Projects duration: June 2026 – May 2027 (06/2026–05/2027)


These projects are supported by the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking and their founding members under the Grant Agreement nr. 101114648. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or SESAR 3 JU. Neither the European Union nor the SESAR 3 JU can be held responsible for them.



Comments

bottom of page