The ORCI project has received the Exploratory Research Award at the Digital European Sky Awards 2026, recognising its innovative use of artificial intelligence to support air traffic controllers in managing aircraft arrivals.
The award was announced on 12 October 2026 during the SESAR Joint Undertaking Annual Conference in Brussels, which brought together representatives from across the European aviation community to celebrate advances in air traffic management research and innovation.
ORCI (Optimised Runway Centreline Interception) was recognised for its work on an AI-based decision-support tool designed to help air traffic controllers manage aircraft spacing during final approach. By predicting the spacing that will result from vectoring instructions, the tool provides controllers with additional information to support their decisions on when to turn arriving aircraft towards the runway centreline.
The aim is to improve runway throughput, reduce controller workload and contribute to more efficient arrival operations, particularly in complex and busy terminal manoeuvring areas. The tool is designed to support air traffic controllers while keeping operational decision-making in their hands.
Turning AI research into practical support for air traffic controllers
Coordinated by ISA Software, ORCI brings together expertise in artificial intelligence, air traffic management and operational validation. INECO contributes to the development of the AI prediction models and services that power the tool, as well as the project’s communication and dissemination activities. The consortium also includes ENAIRE and NAV Portugal, providing operational expertise and supporting the validation activities in Barcelona and Lisbon.
Throughout the project, the team has worked on developing and evaluating explainable machine learning models capable of predicting aircraft spacing in final approach . The solution has been assessed through simulation and human-in-the-loop validation activities involving air traffic controllers, helping the team evaluate its performance and gather feedback on its potential operational usefulness.
The award recognises the collaborative effort behind this research and the potential of explainable AI to support controllers in increasingly demanding air traffic environments.
Recognition for exploratory research
ORCI received the award in the Exploratory Research category, alongside two other shortlisted projects: ASTRA and E-CONTRAIL. The category recognises research exploring new concepts and technologies that can lay the foundations for future innovation in European air traffic management.
This recognition marks an important milestone for the ORCI consortium as the project approaches the end of its research activities and continues sharing its findings with the aviation community.
Members of the ORCI consortium celebrating the project’s recognition at the Digital European Sky Awards 2026.
Congratulations to the entire ORCI team and to all the projects recognised at the Digital European Sky Awards 2026!
Read the official announcement: Digital European Sky Awards 2026 – SESAR Joint Undertaking