The rich content and solutions offered at Airspace World will have a lasting impact on the future of the industry. Within the halls was everything the attendees needed to know about ATM and the incredible efforts to turn ideas into reality.

A dedicated website and App supported the dissemination of vital information. Event participants could read a number of informative articles on theatre sessions and exhibitor stands or catch up on an interview with a keynote speaker.

In fact, the event was so successful that over two-thirds of the floorspace is already sold for Airspace World 2024. The challenge for CANSO is how to improve on what is already air traffic management’s premier event.

“When our industry gets together and collaborates in the way it has done at Airspace World, I feel confident that we deliver a safer, more efficient and more sustainable sky sooner rather than later,” concluded Simon Hocquard, CANSO’s Director General.

Website and App

“We had loads of great meetings, loads of people coming to our stand, and the usual friendly CANSO welcome, it was a really great experience.”

Martin Rolfe
CEO, NATS,

“This is the beginning of collaboration. We talk a lot about how to work more closely with each other. At Airspace World, it seemed to be happening naturally!”

Alex Bristol
Skyguide CEO and CANSO Chair

Through the theatres and exhibition stands, every important ATM topic was examined in detail. These topics included:

• Integrating new airspace users such as drones in our crowded skies

• Safety

• Delivering a net zero carbon future for aviation

• Diversity and inclusion

• Digitisation

• Commercial space flight

• Showcasing new technologies

Two major topics deserve special consideration: diversity and sustainability. International Women’s Day fell on day one of Airspace World and this was marked by several sessions that discussed the need for diversity in the industry. Speakers included Shaesta Waiz of the Dreams Soar Foundation, NASA’s Huy Kim Tran and Boeing’s Mildred Troegeler.

Sustainability, meanwhile, was not only a key talking point in the context of the industry’s commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050 but also crucial to the planning of Airspace World. Palexpo has 15,000 solar panels on its roof, making it Switzerland’s second largest photovoltaic solar power station. And 100% of the food waste was recycled and converted into biogas.

More than 90% of participants said they achieved their primary goals. “The inaugural Airspace World struck a great balance between technology, policy and research, and the floor plan offered many networking opportunities,” says Agnès Leroux of Boeing, one of the attendees.

Exhibitors were equally happy. “Airspace World is the place where business and aviation come together,” notes Gonzalo Moreno, ADB SAFEGATE while Marc Nikutowski, EIZO Technologies GmbH, says that Airspace World “was a great event that enabled high-profile customer meetings and networking opportunities”.

Martin Rolfe, CEO, NATS, summed up the view of many. “We had loads of great meetings, loads of people coming to our stand, and the usual friendly CANSO welcome,” he notes. “It was a really great experience.”

Airspace World helped to reignite the aviation sector following the global pandemic. By providing all attendees the opportunity to network with their peers, listen to some of the industry’s most insightful speakers and learn about cutting-edge technologies, Airspace World fostered all-important collaboration.

“Walking the halls, I sensed a real buzz,” says Alex Bristol, Skyguide CEO and CANSO Chair. “On the stands, in the theatres and throughout the floor, people were talking about drones, carbon reduction, new technologies, innovative procedures and much more. This is the beginning of collaboration. We talk a lot about how to work more closely with each other. At Airspace World, it seemed to be happening naturally!”

The value of collaboration

Airspace World was a huge success. In less nine months, CANSO was able to organise air traffic management’s premier event.