The CANSO Operations Standing Committee (OSC) Annual Summit 2025 will take place 28-30 January, 2025 in California, United States, hosted by NASA Ames. Details can be found at CANSO Operations Standing Committee (OSC) Annual Summit 2025 - CANSO
“This Summit promises to be an engaging event, bringing together industry leaders for meaningful discussions that will shape the future of air traffic management,” says Harricharan. “Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with a global network of top-tier professionals, experts, influential leaders, fostering invaluable relationships. It’s a chance to actively participate in shaping critical decisions that will drive success for your organisation and the broader industry.”
CANSO Summit
Human in the loop
Although technology, most notably artificial intelligence (AI) will play an increasingly critical role in solving many of those challenges and enable efficient, safe, and predictable skies, the human element remains indispensable.
AI and automation will enhance situational awareness, automate routine tasks, and predict disruptions. Their success, however, hinges on proper integration and trust, which means aviation must invest in training to build AI literacy among professionals and develop hybrid workflows that combine the strengths of both humans and technology.
CANSO will have a role to play in tackling all these challenges through its various workgroups and initiatives. Key among its work is driving the advancement of the Complete Air Traffic System (CATS) global vision of the skies in 2045. This will require implementation of the CATS Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and seamlessly aligning global initiatives with regional priorities to unlock maximum operational efficiencies and benefits.
“Collaboration across diverse fields and regions will bring invaluable operational insights that contribute to a well-rounded, global perspective,” Harricharan notes. “Each CANSO member’s specialised knowledge enhances discussions, allowing us to address current and future challenges, identify best practices and develop solutions that are relevant and adaptable for ANSPs globally. By combining our strengths through CANSO workgroups, we ensure that the outcomes are comprehensive and practical on a global scale.”
For Nicki Harricharan, CANSO’s Operations Programme Manager, it is an immediate concern. “Maintaining safety is always the top priority but we must also minimise delays for all users. We are working closely across the industry to integrate these diverse users safely and efficiently.
“Achieving true global interoperability, where crewed, uncrewed, space operations and higher airspace operations coexist safely and efficiently would revolutionise air travel and unlock untapped potential in airspace optimisation,” she adds. “It would reduce delays, emissions, and operational bottlenecks while enhancing safety and access for all airspace users.”
There is also an environmental sustainability and compliance factor to consider. There are stringent environmental goals in place and the industry is committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Near-term, there is a host of other activities to be getting on with, including mitigating contrail impacts. This sustainability challenge involves operational efficiencies, sustainable aviation fuels, and balancing trade-offs in air traffic flow management.
A third issue is workforce transformation and retention. Harricharan says adapting to technology advancements while maintaining a skilled, resilient workforce is a pressing concern. “There is a need for upskilling current personnel and attracting new talent amid competition from other high-tech industries,” she says.
Air traffic management operations are becoming increasingly complex. Traffic volumes from traditional civil aviation are on the up while new entrants – such as advanced air mobility (AAM) and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) – are clamouring for airspace access.
The CANSO Operations Standing Committee (OSC) Annual Summit 2025 will take place 28-30 January, 2025 in California, United States, hosted by NASA Ames. Details can be found at CANSO Operations Standing Committee (OSC) Annual Summit 2025 - CANSO
“This Summit promises to be an engaging event, bringing together industry leaders for meaningful discussions that will shape the future of air traffic management,” says Harricharan. “Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with a global network of top-tier professionals, experts, influential leaders, fostering invaluable relationships. It’s a chance to actively participate in shaping critical decisions that will drive success for your organisation and the broader industry.”
CANSO Summit
Although technology, most notably artificial intelligence (AI) will play an increasingly critical role in solving many of those challenges and enable efficient, safe, and predictable skies, the human element remains indispensable.
AI and automation will enhance situational awareness, automate routine tasks, and predict disruptions. Their success, however, hinges on proper integration and trust, which means aviation must invest in training to build AI literacy among professionals and develop hybrid workflows that combine the strengths of both humans and technology.
CANSO will have a role to play in tackling all these challenges through its various workgroups and initiatives. Key among its work is driving the advancement of the Complete Air Traffic System (CATS) global vision of the skies in 2045. This will require implementation of the CATS Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and seamlessly aligning global initiatives with regional priorities to unlock maximum operational efficiencies and benefits.
“Collaboration across diverse fields and regions will bring invaluable operational insights that contribute to a well-rounded, global perspective,” Harricharan notes. “Each CANSO member’s specialised knowledge enhances discussions, allowing us to address current and future challenges, identify best practices and develop solutions that are relevant and adaptable for ANSPs globally. By combining our strengths through CANSO workgroups, we ensure that the outcomes are comprehensive and practical on a global scale.”
Human in the loop
For Nicki Harricharan, CANSO’s Operations Programme Manager, it is an immediate concern. “Maintaining safety is always the top priority but we must also minimise delays for all users. We are working closely across the industry to integrate these diverse users safely and efficiently.
“Achieving true global interoperability, where crewed, uncrewed, space operations and higher airspace operations coexist safely and efficiently would revolutionise air travel and unlock untapped potential in airspace optimisation,” she adds. “It would reduce delays, emissions, and operational bottlenecks while enhancing safety and access for all airspace users.”
There is also an environmental sustainability and compliance factor to consider. There are stringent environmental goals in place and the industry is committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Near-term, there is a host of other activities to be getting on with, including mitigating contrail impacts. This sustainability challenge involves operational efficiencies, sustainable aviation fuels, and balancing trade-offs in air traffic flow management.
A third issue is workforce transformation and retention. Harricharan says adapting to technology advancements while maintaining a skilled, resilient workforce is a pressing concern. “There is a need for upskilling current personnel and attracting new talent amid competition from other high-tech industries,” she says.
Air traffic management operations are becoming increasingly complex. Traffic volumes from traditional civil aviation are on the up while new entrants – such as advanced air mobility (AAM) and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) – are clamouring for airspace access.