The European Aeronautics Days – Aerodays 2025 have kicked off in Warsaw. It is an international event organized under the auspices of the Polish Presidency of the European Council, bringing together decision-makers, aviation industry experts and representatives of science and European agencies. The main theme of the three-day session is sustainable development and competitiveness of aviation in a changing world.
The Aerodays 2025 conference was opened on behalf of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU by Prof. Andrzej Szeptycki – Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, who stressed that “Aerodays 2025 is an important platform for the exchange of views and experiences — bringing together representatives from diverse backgrounds, countries, and disciplines. The conclusions and solutions developed during the conference will undoubtedly contribute to shaping the EU policies in supporting R&D activities conducted by Polish research institutions.”
The European Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubillius addressed the gathering saying: “Innovation is crucial for competitiveness tomorrow. Whether you are start-ups or big manufacturers – you are masters of invention, using artificial intelligence, developing electrical aircraft, hydrogen aircraft, turning a climate challenge opportunity for innovation. Your work is crucial for the future of Europe”.
In his speech, Sylwester Wyka, PhD Eng., acting director of the Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation, which is an organizer of Aerodays 2025, said: “Through Aerodays, we reaffirm our collective commitment to strengthening Europe’s position as a global leader in aviation, not only in terms of technology, but in so important policy mix including economic prosperity, competitiveness, sustainability, and last but not least – safety and security, understood more deeply than ever, especially at the Eastern flank of EU and NATO”.
Trends and challenges for the aviation industry
The Aerodays conference was opened with a plenary session on the long-term vision for the development of European aviation in the context of the European Commision’s priorities for competitiveness and sustainable development. The panel was moderated by Jennifer Baker, a journalist known from BBC, Euronews or SkyNews.
The discussion centered around the latest trends in aviation, such as the twin transformation – i.e., the parallel transformation towards a low-carbon economy and digitization, as well as challenges related to the geopolitical situation, mitigating cyber threats, maintaining the competitiveness of the European aviation market, decarbonization, energy supply or so-called Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF).
New European aviation research program
How to secure the competitiveness of the European aviation market, as well as new research directions, were discussed during the second panel, which had an excellent introduction with a panel discussion featuring the executive director of the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking and the ARIS (Aviation Research and Innovation Strategy) initiative, Axel Krein, and the executive director of Sesar Joint Undertaking, Andreas Boschen, also representing the ARIS initiative.
The panelists agreed on the key role of the future research program for European aviation. They stressed the importance of a clear and coordinated roadmap to align research with industry needs, EU policies and global trends. According to the experts, aviation is at a turning point. This means the simultaneous need to reduce carbon emissions, digitize, maintain industry competitiveness, pace aircraft deliveries, equipment and repairs, while ensuring national security.
The first day of Aerodays 2025 was complemented by four parallel sessions, which included discussions on technological roadmaps, competitiveness through synergies of programs managed from national and EU levels, technological infrastructure, and the European ATM Masterplan 2040 (a plan for air traffic management in the run up to 2040).
More about Aerodays 2025: https://aerodays2025.eu/.
Aerodays 2025 is an international event on the future of aviation, taking place in Warsaw, Poland, May 7-9, 2025.
Source: Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation
