SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking names new Executive Director

The SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking (SESAR 3 JU) is pleased to announce Andreas Boschen as its new Executive Director. Boschen’s appointment comes at a critical moment as the new partnership embarks on its ambitious research and innovation programme to make Europe’s aviation infrastructure fit for the digital age and on target to meet the sector’s net zero ambitions.

An official of the European Commission, Andreas Boschen has been actively shaping policy and following legislation on aviation, more specifically the Single European Sky, developing implementing rules, managing the Single Sky committee and coordinating relations with Eurocontrol and third countries. Over the last eight years, he has been managing EU financial support to the deployment of SESAR solutions via the Connecting Europe Facility. This combined knowledge of policy, regulation and sector priorities, as well as programme and project implementation, will be key as the partnership seeks to accelerate between now and 2030 the delivery of an inclusive, resilient and sustainable Digital European Sky.

“Following a thorough recruitment process involving many strong candidates, the SESAR 3 JU Governing Board has chosen the best person for the position of new Executive Director of the SESAR 3 JU. He will lead and steer its ambitious programme for the future. Europe needs to accelerate the pace of innovation and ensure faster deployment of solutions to make aviation more digitalised, smarter and more sustainable. I am confident that Andreas Boschen has the experience, mindset, vision and know-how to fast-track the digital transformation of European air traffic management,” said Henrik Hololei, Director General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE) at the European Commission and Chair of the SESAR 3 JU’s Governing Board.

Andreas Boschen SESAR 3 JU Executive Director

Starting his professional career as a diplomat in Germany taking care of EU affairs, Boschen joined the European Commission’s Secretariat General in 1998 to manage relations between the European Commission, Parliament, Council and other bodies. He then moved on to DG MOVE where he held several notable positions, including policy officer for the Single European Sky, policy officer for maritime safety and assistant to the Director-General of DG MOVE. Since 2014, Boschen has been leading the department for the Connecting Europe Facility at the Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), where he manages EU financial support to infrastructure projects in the areas of transport and energy.

Commenting on his appointment, Boschen said: “I am deeply honoured to have been chosen to lead the SESAR 3 JU partnership at this important juncture in European aviation. We need to provide solutions to make air traffic management in Europe environmentally sustainable and fit for the future. This is the vision of the Digital European Sky; I look forward to working with our members and partners to making it a reality.”

Boschen’s appointment will take effect following the completion of the necessary administrative procedures.