On the occasion of the World ATM Congress, ENAV and Boeing signed a Memorandum of Collaboration to ensure safe, efficient and reliable ATM into the future. Which are the major points on which you are committed?

As an aviation industry leader, Boeing is working to improve the global air traffic system by partnering with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the European Commission, Eurocontrol and air navigation service providers and airline operators worldwide. Transforming the air traffic management (ATM) system is critical to economic growth, will enhance safety and improve operational and environmental efficiency.

Boeing is uniquely positioned to create ATM solutions through its experience as a large-scale systems integrator, its expertise in network-centric operations, its experience designing airspace and instrument approach procedures, and its stake in the future of ATM as a designer and builder of commercial airplanes.
Boeing's objectives are to help make flying safer and more secure, increase efficiency and capacity as air traffic levels rise, dramatically reduce congestion and delays, and keep aviation environmentally progressive, as well as affordable and accessible for operators.

 What is BOEING's strategy in the major international projects such as NEXTGEN and SESAR and what does BOEING expect?

Boeing is actively engaged in both NextGen and SESAR projects.  In 2010, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded a Boeing-led industry team a major research & development support contract for the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). The contract will help the agency move from NextGen concepts to solutions that can be implemented in the near term.

Boeing has assembled a comprehensive industry team that includes premier airframers Boeing, Airbus and Cessna, and the strongest ground infrastructure provider, Lockheed Martin, to provide the effective systems engineering support needed to ensure that aviation stakeholders see the benefits of NextGen as quickly as possible. The Boeing industry team also includes Adacel, Ensco, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Harris, Honeywell, Jeppesen, Jerry Thompson & Associates, Mosaic ATM, Spectrum Software Technology Inc., Tetra Tech AMT, and the Washington Consulting Group.

Boeing is an associate member of the Joint Undertaking for SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research), the next generation ATM system for Europe.
A significant focus of Boeing's work is to help the new European system maintain interoperability with the U.S. Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). Interoperability is essential for a globally seamless and efficient ATM system that can meet the demands of future growth safely.

In addition to its involvement with SESAR, Boeing is an active member of the Atlantic Interoperability Initiative to Reduce Emissions (AIRE), a joint U.S./European effort to collaboratively develop ATM improvements that will benefit the environment.

How do you imagine the future of air transport and particularly the one of the ATM infrastructure?

Based on our Current Market Outlook, we expect the world's commercial fleet to more than double in the next 20 years.To support this growth, the ATM infrastructure must be significantly upgraded. 
We know that the key change will be a shift from today's largely radar-based environment to satellite-based tracking.Automatic Dependent Based Surveillance-Broadcast, or ADS-B, uses GPS satellite signals to identify the locations of airplanes with great precision. And we also know that data links will take the place of much of the voice communication between flight crews and air traffic controllers.

Which are BOEING's initiatives to design environmentally-friendly aircraft?
Since the beginning of the jet age more than 50 years ago, technology has advanced the industry to achieve incredible reductions in the environmental impact of airplanes. These advancements have resulted in a 70 percent reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. (CO2 emissions from aircraft are directly proportional to the amount of aviation fuel consumed.)

In addition, today's airplanes have a 90 percent small noise footprint compared to the original commercial jets.

Boeing continues to lead the way in pioneering new technologies that further enhance the efficiency of our products and services.
We are also focused on designing, developing and building our products in an environmentally responsible manner.
Boeing accelerates technology to improve environmental performance in our ecoDemonstrator Program, an example of our commitment to invest and improve aviation's sustainability. Boeing collaborates closely with participating airlines, suppliers and government agencies on technologies tested on the ecoDemonstrator, a multi-year program.

Together, we look for opportunities to reduce environmental impact through the airplane's life cycle, from design and manufacturing to in-service operation and end-of-service aircraft recycling.

Through 2015, the ecoDemonstrator Program will test new technologies focused on aerodynamics and noise reduction; new materials to reduce airplane weight; new in-flight procedures to reduce fuel use and emissions, and more efficient ways to manufacture and maintain Boeing airplanes.