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Tag: Hackathon

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 initiative is part of our ongoing effort to engage with regional ATM hubs, providing a forum for researchers, industry representatives, and academic institutions to discuss local challenges and global solutions. Following the success of previous editions, this event will offer deep dives into current project milestones. 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.

Engage 2 Hackathon crowns its first champions in a thrilling tech sprint

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

On 24 and 25 March 2025, Madrid became the stage for a high-intensity coding marathon as Engage 2 brought together some of the brightest young minds in European aviation and data science for its first-ever hackathon. Hosted and organized by Innaxis, partner of Engage 2, the event challenged participants to develop innovative solutions to a complex problem in ATM. Watch the video below to see what happened, and keep reading to find out who the winners are!

In 24 hours the teams were capable of developing reliable models to solve a traditional problem for air traffic controllers at airports: predicting time to threshold of arriving aircraft. For the challenge, DataBeacon provided over 30GB of highly curated runway operations data collected near Madrid airport. Participants recognized the importance and relevance of data preparation and highlighted the motivation of working with real data in a real-world problem.

36 participants, divided into 11 teams, worked tirelessly in a two-day sprint of coding, strategy, and problem-solving. Each team tackled the challenge with their own innovative approach, pushing boundaries in technology and collaboration. The atmosphere was intense, fueled by creativity, teamwork, and a shared passion for innovation. Mentors and evaluators from DataBeacon, Frequentis and ARC were there to solve participants’ questions and guide them to reach the prizes, co-sponsored by SESAR and CANSO.

Paula López-Catalá, programme Director at Innaxis, shares her perspective. We are proud to have successfully organized this data hackathon, surpassing even our own expectations. Innaxis put a great effort into every detail, working proactively to ensure an outstanding result. We extend our gratitude to the sponsors, mentors, and evaluators who made this event possible, helping bridge the gap between emerging talent and industry professionals. For over 15 years, Innaxis has been at the forefront of promoting data-driven techniques in aviation, and this event represents yet another milestone in our journey. Attracting new talent is essential if we truly want the future of aviation to be digital, and this hackathon has been an excellent opportunity to foster that connection.

And the winners are…

After two days of intense competition, Los Modelos, a team of four students from Universidad Complutense de Madrid, emerged victorious. Their innovative solution secured them the first prize, which included an all-expenses-paid trip to Airspace World 2025 in Lisbon, along with exclusive opportunities, such as a breakfast with industry CEOs and the chance to take the stage at Tomorrow’s Voices.

In a tight race for second place, the jury awarded a tie between FourOFour from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and Runway Prophets from Delft University of Technology. Both runner-up teams received €500 in vouchers for online training platforms or other educational resources of their choice.

With fresh perspectives and bold ideas, the Engage 2 Hackathon proved that young talent is key to shaping the future of aviation. As the industry moves forward, initiatives like this ensure that the next generation is equipped to lead innovation in ATM.

Save the date for the first Hackathon in Madrid, 24-25 March 2025

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

Mark your calendars for an event you won’t want to miss! Engage 2 announces its inaugural hackathon, set to take place on the 24th and 25th of March 2025 in Madrid.

This event will bring together new talents to the aviation industry for two days of intense collaboration and creativity. Participants will have the opportunity to tackle the industry’s digitalization challenge, featuring a 24-hour coding session to tackle proposed ATM-related challenges.

Whether you’re a seasoned developer, a budding entrepreneur, or simply passionate about technology, the Engage 2 Hackathon promises to be an unforgettable experience. Stay tuned for more details and registration information coming soon.

We look forward to seeing you in Madrid!