Overview
- ESA says Iris has been fully operational in European airspace since 2024 and has supported more than 17,000 flights.
- A United Airlines aircraft in Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator program flew test sorties in late October and early November, beginning in Houston and ending in Edinburgh, to evaluate Iris beyond Europe.
- The satellite link connected pilots, air traffic controllers and airline operations centers to enable more frequent position reporting and more efficient routing that stakeholders say can reduce fuel use.
- Partners highlight that the activity showcases support for ATN/IPS, the next generation of IP‑based datalink intended to enable higher traffic volumes and trajectory‑based operations.
- ITA Airways has begun deploying Iris on an A320neo primarily flying between Milan and Rome to optimize routes and cut CO2, indicating continued operational rollout in Europe.