Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
As part of the SESAR ECHO 2 project Solution 2, a real-time simulation on the integration of HAPS – high-altitude platform systems – into controlled airspace was performed last week at the EUROCONTROL Innovation Hub.
The exercise involved air traffic controllers from ENAV Italy, LFV Sweden, NATS UK, NAV Portugal and ENAIRE Spain, participants from CIRA – the Italian Aerospace Research Centre and Aalto – a HAPS manufacturer, as well as experts from the EUROCONTROL Network Manager and Innovation Hub.
The simulation was carried out on EUROCONTROL’s ATC simulator and tested a new concept of a 4D operating zone that surrounds the HAPS allowing for more efficient utilisation of airspace, as the reserved space is for the HAPS is smaller.
In addition, on 10 April we welcomed members of the Higher Altitude Operations (HAO) community for a Visitor Day, which provided them with an exclusive opportunity to gain in-depth understanding of the project and witness the real-time simulation.
To learn more about the simulation, visit the project website: https://higherairspace.eu/
As part of the SESAR ECHO 2 project Solution 2, a real-time simulation on the integration of HAPS – high-altitude platform systems – into controlled airspace was performed last week at the EUROCONTROL Innovation Hub.
The exercise involved air traffic controllers from ENAV Italy, LFV Sweden, NATS UK, NAV Portugal and ENAIRE Spain, participants from CIRA – the Italian Aerospace Research Centre and Aalto – a HAPS manufacturer, as well as experts from the EUROCONTROL Network Manager and Innovation Hub.
The simulation was carried out on EUROCONTROL’s ATC simulator and tested a new concept of a 4D operating zone that surrounds the HAPS allowing for more efficient utilisation of airspace, as the reserved space is for the HAPS is smaller.
In addition, on 10 April we welcomed members of the Higher Altitude Operations (HAO) community for a Visitor Day, which provided them with an exclusive opportunity to gain in-depth understanding of the project and witness the real-time simulation.
To learn more about the simulation, visit the project website: https://higherairspace.eu/
