E-CONTRAIL 2 project kicks off

On June 1, 2026, the E-CONTRAIL 2 consortium inaugurated its research activities at the Puerta de Toledo Campus of Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M). This initiative, officially titled “Multi-Sensor Physics-Informed Contrail Detection, Radiative Forcing Estimation & Interactive Climate Analytics,” represents a significant advancement in European efforts to quantify and mitigate the non-CO2 climate impacts of aviation.

Scientific Continuity

E-CONTRAIL 2 is a SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking project that serves as the direct successor to the initial E-CONTRAIL research (2023–2025). While the first phase established foundations in contrail detection and forecasting, this new three-year mandate (GA 101287164) aims to deliver an open, end-to-end capability for tracking and quantifying the climate impact of contrails and aviation-induced cloudiness (AIC) across Europe.

The project leverages progress from related European initiatives, such as CICONIA and ContrailNet, alongside contemporary detection efforts from the United States, to reduce existing scientific uncertainties.

Technical Methodology: Multi-Sensor Fusion and PINNs

The core innovation of the project lies in the integration of a harmonized multi-sensor observation framework with advanced computational models. Technical discussions during the kick-off meeting focused on several key work packages:

• Multi-Sensor Datasets: Utilizing imagery from Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) satellites, including FCI (Flexible Combined Imager) data, alongside ground-based infrared and visible cameras.

• Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs): Implementing machine learning architectures that incorporate established atmospheric physics to improve detection accuracy and account for physical uncertainties.

• Atmospheric Instrumentation: Integrating LIDAR and RADAR data from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites to achieve high-fidelity retrieval of cloud properties.

The project aims to translate complex atmospheric science into actionable geospatial insights. A primary output will be an interactive decision-support dashboard designed for aviation stakeholders and policymakers. This tool will visualize the radiative forcing—the measure of energy trapped by contrails—to support effective mitigation strategies and more sustainable flight operations.

A Strategic Synergy for Scientific Delivery

The inaugural meeting brought together 17 physical attendees and 12 remote participants from the project’s consortium and SESAR. By uniting UC3M’s computational leadership with the atmospheric science expertise of the Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium and BIRA, the remote-sensing innovations of TU Delft and Reuniwatt, the global ground-based observation networks of the University of Western Ontario, and the foundational aviation data infrastructure of EUROCONTROL, the consortium possesses the right mix of capabilities required to fulfill its mission. This strategic assembly of academic, research, and operational entities ensures that E-CONTRAIL 2 is uniquely positioned to deliver the high-resolution, actionable insights necessary to align European aviation with the sustainability goals of the Digital European Sky and the Green Deal.

This project is supported by the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking and its members under grant agreement No 101287164.