Thales and Sopra Steria announce strategic partnership enabling digital transformation of European Air Traffic Management

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO), a global high technology leader, and Sopra Steria (Euronext Paris: SOP), a major player in the European Tech sector, announce a new multiyear partnership, which will lead the digital transformation of the Air Traffic Management (ATM) industry in Europe. The two players will combine their industrial and digital expertise in ATM to offer Thales’ OpenSky Platform, a safe, secure digital platform, together with associated services to support sustainable aviation and modernise European ATM. Through its dedicated aerospace organisation, Aeroline, Sopra Steria will support Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) with digital transformation challenges.

The new version of the European ATM Master Plans aims to drive the digital transformation of ATM in Europe. The Thales and Sopra Steria strategic partnership will support this new strategic direction for Europe, as well as enabling the migration to a new service delivery model for ANSPs.

ATM systems need to support the continuous growth of air traffic, support ANSPs offer more sustainable aviation services, and be compliant with the latest safety and cybersecurity standards and requirements. This can be done by using open architectures and interfaces, to ensure that ANSPs have access to best-of-breed components, applications and systems over the long-term.

Adopting open architectures in ATM enhances interoperability between third-party systems, drives cost efficiencies and facilitates the seamless integration of new technologies. The Thales OpenSky Platform is a fully open, cyber-secure platform which ensures that ANSPs are able to benefit from this digital transformation, without compromising the safety and security of ATM solutions.

Thales and Sopra Steria aim to innovate together, in order to support the current and future challenges and transformation strategies of air traffic management.

“This partnership aligns perfectly with Thales’ ambition to support the digital transformation of ATM in Europe. Achieving this transformation requires a strong focus on the resilience and cybersecurity of our platforms. Through this strategic partnership, Thales is extending its cybersecurity expertise and end-to-end digital transformation capabilities in the ATM sector.” said Christian Rivierre, VP Airspace Mobility Solutions, Thales.

“This partnership with Thales enables us to offer our customers innovative, high-performance and secure solutions for air traffic management, by combining our air traffic management development strategy, as well as recognised expertise and assets throughout Europe.” commented Xavier PECQUET, member of Sopra Steria’s Executive Board and Director of Aeroline.