Digital twin for smarter aviation flow management at eurocontrol

EUROCONTROL manages one of the most complex air traffic networks in the world, coordinating thousands of daily flights across Europe. While existing 2D tools supported operations, they limited visibility into vertical airspace structures and made it harder to understand the cascading impact of disruptions.As air traffic complexity increased, the need for a more predictive and intuitive operational view became clear. EUROCONTROL set out to explore how real-time data, combined with immersive visualisation, could unlock better decision-making and stronger collaboration across borders.

Industry

Public Sector & Government

‍From 2D limitations to a 3D digital twin

EUROCONTROL partnered with Mr. Watts, a sister company within De Cronos Groep, to develop a proof-of-concept Digital Twin.

This prototype introduces a fully interactive 3D representation of Europe’s airspace, allowing users to:

Visualise both horizontal and vertical flight paths in one environment
Interact with airspace data through immersive VR using Meta Quest™ headsets
Explore complex traffic patterns in a more intuitive and accessible way

By combining real-time and historical data, the solution also integrates AI capabilities that suggest alternative routing options.This helps Network Managers detect potential conflicts earlier and evaluate solutions more efficiently.

Key takeaways

Improved situational awareness with immersive 3D airspace visualisation.

Faster, more informed decision-making through AI-supported routing.

Improved cross-border collaboration through shared, contextual 3D visualisations

A new way to support operational decisions

At its core, the digital twin translates complex operational data into clear, actionable insights. Instead of interpreting dense 2D screens, users can now engage with a shared3D environment that enhances understanding and speeds up decision-making.

The platform also enables synchronous collaboration between stakeholders, whether they are in the same room or working remotely. This shared context improves communication during time-critical situations and strengthens coordination across the European aviation network.

Collaboration driving real impact

EUROCONTROL played a central role in shaping the solution, ensuring the prototype aligned with real operational workflow sand challenges.

By combining their domain expertise with our strengths in data integration, AI, and contextual design, the result is:

A more holistic view of the airspace
Earlier detection of potential conflicts
Better coordination between stakeholders

This directly supports EUROCONTROL’s ambition to move towards more predictive, data-driven air traffic management.

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Looking ahead: towards a real-time digital twin

Following the success of the prototype,EUROCONTROL is now advancing towards a first integrated Digital Twin powered by live operational data. The next phase will focus on Airspace Management, further strengthening the resilience and efficiency of Europe’s aviation network.

The project is an important step towards more predictive, data-driven and AI-supported air traffic management.

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