Story ID: 2051612alerts
Europe’s NextGen Could Cost Bizav $3.45B
By: Bill Carey
Caption: 
Word Count: 213
Participation in the next-generation European airspace system will require business aircraft operators to invest in new equipment–to the tune of some $3.45 billion between now and 2024–as the concept of “first-come, first-served” is gradually retired, Patrick Ky, executive director of the Single European Sky ATM Research (Sesar) Joint Undertaking, told EBACE attendees yesterday. 
  
While there are several enabling systems in Sesar, “It won’t be absolutely necessary for [business aircraft operators] to invest in all of those technologies. I don’t believe in ‘one size fits all.’ But you have to recognize that if you are equipped with a given technology it will give you access to a certain number of services that you may not have access to if you do not have the technology.”
  
Ky said European airspace planners are working on “specific measures” that will assist operators in making investment decisions and making their own “business case” for new equipage. He said the cost to business aviation of new avionics must be qualified, taking into account the expected benefits and operational context of various operators. However, Ky left little doubt that some level of investment will have to be made to gain airspace and airport access equal to those operators who choose to equip.