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Third Engage 2 Summer School successfully concludes in Trieste

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

From 14 to 18 September 2026, the University of Trieste hosted the third Engage 2 Summer School. This edition placed a central focus on the industrial implications and practical applications of research conducted by PhD students in Air Traffic Management (ATM), with a special spotlight on the seven PhD candidates funded by the Engage 2 network.

The event gathered 22 participants from across Europe, including attendees from Spain, Italy, France, Belgium, Austria, Germany and Croatia. Participation remained exceptionally strong throughout the week, bolstered by an outstanding lineup of 10 external speakers representing leading organizations such as Collins, Frequentis, Nommon, Unifly, the University of Westminster, the University of Belgrade, ALG, and the SESAR Joint Undertaking.

These industry and academic experts delivered high-level presentations that provided a comprehensive overview of the trends shaping future European aviation scenarios. Key topics of discussion included the new Reference Period 5 (RP5) for the performance scheme, drone regulations, cyber resilience, and the handling of biases in cost-benefit analyses.

Throughout the week, the Engage 2 funded PhD students had the valuable opportunity to present the current state of their research. Each presentation was followed by dedicated feedback from an expert discussant, which then opened the floor to constructive, collaborative input from all participants.

The University of Trieste served as the welcoming host for the event. Lorenzo Castelli, representing the hosting institution, remarked: “The informal atmosphere that developed allowed for continuous exchanges of opinions and ideas among all students and speakers, some of whom stayed in Trieste for almost the entire week.”

The core objective of the summer school, connecting the future generations of European ATM protagonists, was undeniably achieved. The success of this networking was evident even after the event had officially concluded. On Friday afternoon, about ten of the students were spotted sitting together at an outdoor café, continuing their conversations and cementing the new professional bonds formed during the week

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A new formula for inspiring Tomorrow’s aviation leaders

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

This year’s edition of Airspace World proved to be a success for our project, highlighted by a strong wave of interest and active participation throughout the event.

Central to our presence in Lisbon was our involvement in the Tomorrow’s Voices initiative, promoted by CANSO, which aimed to connect the next generation of aviation talent with industry leaders. Thanks to the collaboration with EUROAVIA and AviAll, this year our activity levelled up the experience for the young professionals we engaged.

A new formula for Inspiration

This year, the Inspirational Tours introduced a brand-new interactive formula designed to break down formal barriers between young talent and senior leaders. We welcomed eight students and young researchers as part of this experience. The innovative format paired structured professional engagement with the “The Insight Trajectory” networking game. Armed with career maps, the participants dove into real-world operational challenges, acting as career investigators. They engaged directly with technical experts, answering targeted quizzes on ATM technologies, artificial intelligence and future operational roles.

The new approach generated engagement across the exhibition floor. All were eager to explore the industry’s evolving landscape and discover long-term career opportunities within the aviation sector thanks to the involvement of experts frommajor companied like: Unifly Consulting, EUROCONTROL, Collins Aerospace, Murzilli Consulting, VIBE Solution, Frequentis, Nokia and ENAV.

The rewarding nature of the initiative was further highlighted by the ultimate prize on the leaderboard: an all-inclusive spot at the upcoming Engage 2 Summer School in Trieste this September.

The lively discussions held once again confirmed the huge value of creating informal, interactive learning moments within major industry events. By transforming traditional networking into an active dialogue, we are strengthening the connections between academic education and industrial reality.

As Airspace World 2026 draws to a close, we look forward to building on the relationships sparked this week and continuing to support the brilliant minds shaping the future of European skies.

Registration opens for the Hackathon #2 in Zagreb

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

Registration is officially open for the second Engage 2 Hackathon, taking place from 20 to 21 October 2026 in Zagreb, Croatia. Organised with the SESAR project AWARE, this intensive 24-hour competition challenges the next generation of aviation talent to solve a real-world predictive ATM task using exclusive datasets.

The registration deadline is 7 September 2026 at 11:59pm CET. All detailed guidelines, eligibility criteria, and the official registration form are hosted on our Wiki.

Terms and conditions and official registration form

Before applying, please read all provided information carefully before registering. By enrolling in the competition, all participants officially accept and agree to abide by the full Terms & Conditions. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible teams.

For any enquiries regarding the event, please contact the team at engage2-coordinator@dblue.it

  • The challenge: teams of 2 to 4 individuals will have exactly 24 hours to develop and submit an innovative digital solution.
  • Eligibility: open to all nationalities. Participants must be 18 or older and have fewer than five years of professional work experience.
  • Hospitality: one night’s accommodation at the iNova Hotel in Zagreb and scheduled meals are fully covered by the organisers. Participants must arrange their own travel.
  • The Grand Prize: the winning team will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Airspace World 2027 in Lisbon, Portugal, alongside exclusive industry networking opportunities.

The “Insight Trajectory” game lands at Airspace World

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

Engage 2 Insight Trajectory, a high-impact game designed to transform how students and young professionals experience, will take place at Airspace World on Thursday 28th May. Moving beyond traditional event tours, this career-strategy experience challenges participants with structured professional engagement.

Register now! Visit Tomorrow’s Voices page

Equipped with a Future Track Map, participants will step into the shoes of a career investigator. The goal is to navigate the exhibition floor to engage with industry experts in four key roles: Cybersecurity specialist, AI specialist, UAS Operations, and Airspace Management & Design Specialist.

The grand prize: a journey to Trieste

We are raising the stakes for the top performers. The first two participants on the leaderboard who successfully complete their mission will win full travel and accommodation to attend the Engage 2 Summer School in Trieste, Italy, from September 14th to 18th, 2026.

Inspires future aviation leaders at Belgrade’s “Transport and Traffic Business Days”

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

The Engage 2 project successfully completed its third Open Day last week in Belgrade, marking another milestone in introducing students to the vast career landscape of ATM. Held as part of the “Transport and Traffic Business Days” (TTBD) organized by the Students’ Association of the University of Belgrade, the event fostered high levels of engagement and curiosity among the next generation of transport professionals.

Exploring the ATM career universe

On 22 April, the Engage 2 stand became a hub of activity. Students from the Department of Air Transport and Traffic, ranging from first-year undergraduates to Master’s level students, joined by peers from Logistics and Road transport departments, explored the diversity of roles within the sector. The interactive setup allowed participants to engage with project videos and detailed Job Cards, complete a digital survey to match their skills with one of the four Engage 2 job categories and take part in an “on-the-spot” ranking activity to visualize which specific roles resonated most with them.

Over 30 students completed the survey, with many others contributing to the visual ranking board. The results showed a spread of interests across the four pillars of the project:

  1. Operational: high interest was noted in traditional and emerging roles like Air Traffic Controller and Remote Tower Operator.
  2. Human-Centered: roles such as UX Researcher and HMI Designer saw significant engagement.
  3. Regulatory & Planning: students showed a keen interest in Airspace Management & Design.
  4. Technical & Innovative: the field remains a strong draw for those looking toward the digital future of aviation.
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Sky Roles: learning through play

The activity continued on 23 April with the interactive workshop “Sky Roles: The Guessing Challenge” More than 20 students participated in this fast-paced quiz, using clues to identify various ATM roles mapped by the project. The session was defined by a fun and competitive atmosphere, proving that gamified learning is an effective tool for demystifying complex career paths.

The two events not only met their objectives of collecting structured insights for project reporting but also succeeded in their core mission: encouraging students to reflect on their potential future in the ATM world.

A huge thank you to the University of Belgrade and all the students who brought such energy and insight to our stand.

Summer school #3 in Trieste. Registration now open

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

Time to plan a trip to Trieste! The third edition of the Engage 2 Summer School will take place from 14 to 18 September 2026.

The event will be hosted at the Scuola Interpreti (SSLMIT), located in the heart of Trieste. Please note that while Engage 2 PhD students are guaranteed a place, other applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

NEW DEADLINE! The registration will close Friday 17 July 2026 at midnight.

Click here and fill the REGISTRATION FORM

The Summer School is designed for early-career researchers, PhD students and young professionals. This year’s programme will explore current and emerging topics in ATM, providing participants with a unique opportunity to learn from leading experts and network with peers from across Europe.

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A limited number of rooms at a discounted rate are available at Opera Figli del Popolo (Largo Papa Giovanni XXIII)

  • Getting there: the accommodation is a 20-minute walk from the venue in Via Filzi, or easily reachable by local bus
  • Availability: 7 twin/double rooms (14 spots total)
  • Rates: €36 per night for a double room
  • Facilities: please note that this is a guest house, not a hostel. All rooms include an en-suite bathroom and the rate includes a simple breakfast
Wiki – Past editions for reference

Tomorrow’s voices at Airspace World 2026

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

As the aviation industry undergoes a period of unprecedented transformation, from the integration of U-space to the push for total decarbonisation, the need for fresh perspectives has never been greater. For many years, Engage 2 has collaborated closely with CANSO to bridge the gap between today’s industry leaders and the next generation of talent.

Tomorrow’s Voices is more than just a visit to a trade show; it is a gateway to a career in aviation. Registrations are now officially open. If you are a student or a young professional eager to define the future of our skies, we want to hear from you.

Ready to join us in Lisbon? Register here for Tomorrow’s Voices 2026

We are delighted to invite students and young professionals (aged 20–30) to join us in Lisbon from 26–28 May 2026 for a unique immersive experience.

A cornerstone of the Engage 2 contribution, the Inspirational Tours, will return this year in a reimagined format. Moving beyond traditional exhibition walks, the 2026 tours are designed to be more interactive and thematic. Participants will not only observe cutting-edge technologies but will engage in direct dialogue with the experts and visionaries behind them, exploring how research is being translated into real-world operational solutions.

Stay tuned to the Engage 2 website and our social media channels for further updates on the full programme and speaker line-up.

EBACE 2026 cancelled: EBAA shifts focus to core member support

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) has officially announced the cancellation of EBACE 2026, originally scheduled to take place in Geneva from 2-4 June.

The decision follows a thorough review by the EBAA Board of Governors. Despite efforts to revitalise the event with a reimagined format, including a new static display at Geneva Airport and enhanced networking opportunities, the association concluded that the current market dynamics and participation models did not provide the necessary momentum to deliver a viable edition of the show.

EBAA CEO Stefan Benz described the move as a “difficult but responsible” decision, aimed at minimising the impact on exhibitors and partners who had already committed to the event. Rather than proceeding with a format that no longer fully met the evolving needs of the industry, the EBAA will now redirect its resources and efforts towards its primary mission: advocacy, sustainability, and direct support for the European business aviation community.

While the 2026 exhibition will not go ahead, the EBAA has reaffirmed its commitment to representing the sector’s interests at a European level. The association will continue to focus on promoting responsible and sustainable growth within the industry, advocating for proportionate regulation and better airport access adn creating new, more agile platforms for members to connect and collaborate.

Juergen Wiese, Chairman of the EBAA, noted that while EBACE has historically been a vital platform, the association must now shape new approaches that respond to what the market genuinely values in a changing global landscape.

For further details and the full official statement, please visit the EBAA website.

From theory to practice: explore multimodal integration at Athens airport

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

The Engage 2 project recently delivered a workshop held on 24–25 February 2026 at the Sofitel Athens Airport, Greece. Co-organized with FASTNet, JARVIS and Athens International Airport (AIA) – which hosted the event as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations – the workshop gathered a diverse ecosystem of 80 registered participants from an initial pool of 120 applicants.

The high turnout reflected a rich variety of perspectives, bringing together airport operators, aviation industry tech providers, researchers, European institutions and innovation consultancies to discuss the “Digital European Sky” vision.

Dowload the materials

Deep dive into the Passenger-Centric Digital Airport

The first day focused on Thematic Challenge #2: Passenger-centric digital airport. Discussions centered on the evolution toward data-centric operations, analyzing passenger dynamics within terminals and the implementation of virtual queuing systems.

Through structured round-table discussions, participants addressed three critical clusters. Drawing from the workshop’s synthesis.

  1. Shift toward passenger-centricity

The conversation centered on a fundamental shift from operator-driven processes to a model that prioritizes the passenger at every step. Currently, the journey is often marred by fragmentation and a lack of integrated visibility across different transport modes. Participants noted that travelers face significant stress due to unreliable delay predictions and the anxiety of tight transfers.

To counter this, the vision of a travel companion app gained strong support: a digital tool capable of monitoring the entire multimodal itinerary and offering real-time rebooking. The goal is to provide a seamless experience defined by reliability and simplicity, ideally through a single ticket and one accountable system.

  1. Empowering the operator in a multimodal world

As the system grows more complex, the experience of the operator is also evolving. The workshop highlighted that improving this experience is not just about deploying AI, but about a holistic socio-technical transformation. Operators today face the challenge of coordinating across disparate modes (air, rail and maritime) often hindered by siloed data and limited trust between stakeholders.Experts agreed that higher levels of automation do not actually reduce the need for expertise; instead, they increase the demand for high-level decision-making and data literacy. For AI to be a true enabler, systems must offer transparency, clear confidence indicators and robust fallback procedures to build calibrated trust over time.

  1. Data governance and the environmental horizon

Bridging these two experiences is the critical role of data, which serves as both a primary enabler and a significant constraint. While data sharing is crucial for managing disruptions and optimizing capacity, it is currently slowed by legal hurdles like GDPR, cybersecurity risks and unclear liability frameworks.

Beyond the digital infrastructure, the Environmental Impact cluster reminded participants that the future airport must balance commercial interests with sustainability. This requires moving from transactional relationships topartnership models that can support long-term resilience and a Digital European Sky that respects both the passenger and the planet.

Airport site visit and practical validations

Day 2 provided participants with a practical, hands-on experience focused on emerging solutions. This included a demonstration of the FASTNet project, where its operational concepts and validated results were showcased.

The event ended with an exclusive visit to Athens International Airport, providing a real-world backdrop to the discussions on multimodal integration and celebrating the airport’s 25 years of operational excellence.

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Upcoming events and opportunities in 2026

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

As the SESAR 3 Knowledge Transfer Network, Engage 2 remains committed to driving excellence in ATM research. We are pleased to outline our strategic calendar for 2026, featuring a series of high-level events designed to facilitate knowledge exchange, support the next generation of aviation professionals, and foster technical innovation across Europe.

Advancing transport research: TRA2026

The spring season will commence in Lisbon at the Transport Research Arena (TRA2026), taking place from 18 to 21 April 2026. As a cornerstone of European transport dialogue, TRA2026 provides an essential platform for Engage 2 to contribute to discussions on the digitalisation and decarbonisation of the aviation sector. We invite stakeholders to join us in exploring how our network’s research outputs are shaping the future of European mobility.

Local engagement: Belgrade Open Day

On 22 and 23 April 2026, Engage 2 will host an Open Day in Belgrade. This event is specifically designed to bridge the gap between education and industry, offering high school and university students a unique window into the future of aviation and ATM professions. Through interactive sessions and expert guidance, we aim to showcase the evolving career paths that will define the sector in the decades to come. Specific venue details and the full agenda will be published shortly.

Empowering the next generation at Airspace World 2026

From 26 to 28 May 2026, our focus shifts to Lisbon for Airspace World. We are happy to confirm the return of Tomorrow’s Voices, the programme dedicated to young professionals and students. Central to this initiative will be a new series of Inspirational Tours, offering participants curated access to industry pioneers and cutting-edge technologies. This programme remains a vital link between academic study and professional career paths in ATM.

Collaborative innovation: Hackathon #2 in Zagreb

In the final quarter of the year, Engage 2 will lead a technical Hackathon in Zagreb on 20 and 21 October 2026. This is a joint event organised in collaboration with the DIALOG and AWARE projects. By pooling expertise across different SESAR initiatives, the hackathon aims to solve complex operational problems through rapid prototyping and collaborative coding. It represents a unique opportunity for data scientists and ATM experts to work at the intersection of various research domains.