EUROCONTROL

Eurocontrol, officially the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation, is an intergovernmental organization that coordinates air traffic management across European airspace. It brings together member states to plan, harmonize, and operate the European ATM network to ensure safe, efficient, and sustainable air travel.

Established by treaty in the 1960s and headquartered in Brussels, Eurocontrol serves as a central coordinating body for European air navigation services. Its core function is network management, including capacity planning, flow management, and ensuring interoperability across national air traffic control centres. The Network Manager coordinates traffic flows using data from member states, airports, and airlines.

Eurocontrol is a key driver of the Single European Sky program, which seeks to transform European airspace into functional air blocks, standardize procedures, and improve efficiency. It also supports research and deployment efforts under the SESAR program to modernize air traffic management technologies and operations. Although safety certification and aircraft airworthiness fall primarily under EU safety authorities, Eurocontrol collaborates with EASA and national authorities to align operations with safety standards.

Governance is provided by a council of representatives from member states, with day-to-day operations led by a director general and an executive management team. Eurocontrol works with European institutions, national authorities, and industry stakeholders to promote integrated and harmonized air navigation across Europe.