Thales & Sopra Steria partner for European air traffic management

To launch Opensky to support sustainable aviation

Defence and security company Thales Group has announced a strategic multiyear partnership with European-based consulting company Sopra Steria to digitally transform Europe’s Air Traffic Management (ATM) ecosystem.

Aiming to drive the digital transformation of air traffic management (ATM) in Europe, defence and security company Thales Group has announced a strategic multi-year partnership with European consulting firm Sopra Steria.

In a press statement Thales says that through this collaboration, it aims to launch the OpenSky Platform to enhance interoperability and support sustainable aviation.

It adds that this partnership aligns with the objectives of the latest air traffic management master plan, which seeks to modernise ATM operations across Europe.

“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,” says Christian Rivierre, VP Airspace Mobility Solutions, Thales.

 

The statement adds that these two companies aim to help Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) navigate challenges associated with digital transformation.

According to Thales, the ATS systems must evolve to manage growing air traffic, improve sustainability, and comply with the latest safety and cybersecurity regulations. Thus, to ensure long-term flexibility for ANSPs, the companies also aim to launch the OpenSky Platform. Built on an open and cyber-secure framework, this platform aims to enable seamless integration of third-party technologies.

Through their digital platform, these two companies also aim to support greener aviation. They emphasise that by adopting open architectures in ATMs, it will enhance interoperability between systems, improve cost efficiency and future-proof air traffic operations.

“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,” says Xavier Pecquet, member of Executive Board of Sopra Steria and Director of Aeroline.