Brussels, 04/10/2005 (Agence Europe) - European Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik met high officials form the Eurocontrol organisation (aviation safety) on 29 September to discuss research under the 7th EU Framework Programme for Research 2007-2013 to prepare the air traffic control system in the future. Research into air traffic control already gets EUR 150 mil from the current Financial Perspectives, but technological investment levels in Europe have changed little since 1996 although air travel has grown exponentially. For this reason, the European Commission wants to create a 'single European sky' by devoting huge resources in FP7 to research carried out in collaboration with Eurocontrol. Two projects have already helped boost aviation safety - the OPTIMAL project looks at new approach and landing procedures for busy, virtually full-capacity airports and for low visibility; and the MA-AFAS project aims to improve communications between aircraft. In order to prepare for the single European sky, Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot has suggested setting up a single air traffic control structure in Europe, SESAME, a vast industrial programme to coordinate users of the airways, operators and service suppliers. ACARE, an advisory council for aviation research in Europe, has suggested aid for the research arm of SESAME from the FP7.