November 27th, 2025

This November, the European Aerospace Science Network Association (EASN) and the Airport Regions Conference (ARC) have reaffirmed their cooperation with the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aiming at pursuing joint activities for the development and promotion of mutually beneficial scientific, technological, and organizational advancements in aviation and air transport, particularly in the field of airport operations.

Both EASN and the ARC share a common conviction: the future of aviation depends on stronger collaboration between research, industry, and air transport innovation ecosystems. To advance this, the two associations are dedicated in their commitment to enable active exchange among their members and to stimulate knowledge flow across the aeronautics research community. Their collaboration is structured around several core cooperation pillars:

• Cross-promotion within the research community (including at major fairs, congresses, and international events) towards more global aviation activities.
• Where interests converge, provision of mutual support in position papers, policy statements, and public stances on emerging aviation challenges.
• Organization of thematic sessions and workshops by ARC within the annual EASN Conference Series, highlighting airport-focused research.
• Organization of dedicated workshops, webinars, and thematic knowledge events designed to improve understanding between stakeholders operating at the critical airport interfaces.
• Cooperation in collaborative research and innovation activities, pursuing involvement in European or regional funding initiatives, while also motivating their respective members to engage in bilateral cooperation under shared projects.
• To strengthen communication impact in EU-funded activities involving ARC partners, provision of support by EASN through its dedicated dissemination and outreach channel, the EASN Technology Innovation Services.

As Europe advances toward its most ambitious aviation milestones, this partnership stands as a model for how academic networks and airport research communities can align forces by combining complementary expertise and widening channels for exchange.