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An efficient and sustainable network for aeronautical communications is required to enable the implementation of a range of operational improvements needed to support the expected growth in air transportation. The NEWSKY project (“NEtWorking the SKY”) is co-funded by the European Commission within the 6th Framework Programme and was initiated with the aim to develop a concept of a global aeronautical communication network based on Internet technologies. NEWSKY focuses on the design of an IPv6 based network for air-ground communications by supplementing existing concepts to be applicable to aeronautics. NEWSKY pursues the vision of “Networking the Sky” by integrating different radio link technologies and different applications into a single IP-based aeronautical network. The integration of satellite-based, ground-based and airport communication links is targeted. The envisaged application classes comprise not only safety related services as Air Traffic Services (ATS) and Aeronautical Operation Control (AOC), but also non safety related services as Airline Administrative Communications (AAC) and passenger communications (APC). The transition from the current ACARS and Aeronautical Telecommunication Network based on OSI technologies (ATN/OSI) is considered. As a result, the modular and highly flexible architecture of the proposed NEWSKY approach helps to create a future aeronautical communication system which is viable well beyond 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]