On Monday, 12 May 2025, over 300 aviation leaders from around the world gathered at the breathtaking Convento do Beato in Lisbon for the highly anticipated Leadership Summit — the official curtain-raiser for Airspace World 2025. The historic venue, with its soaring arches and rich cultural backdrop, served as the perfect setting for an afternoon of strategic insights, bold ideas, and collaborative energy.
The Summit united CEOs, focal points, and senior delegates from CANSO Member organisations and invited guests under the theme: “Enabling Future Skies: Driving Innovation, Integration, and Collaboration in ATM.”
The afternoon began with a fireside chat between Simon Hocquard and David Seymour, Chief Operating Officer at American Airlines who offered a compelling perspective on the transformative changes aviation is likely to undergo over the next two decades, from data-driven operations to cross-industry convergence.
A subsequent panel discussion, “Smart Skies: Optimising Airspace Through Advanced Digital Information and Automation,” saw experts like Dr. Todd Citron and Justin Erbacci weigh in on the pivotal role of AI and real-time data in shaping next-generation ATM systems.
The conversation then shifted upward — literally — in a panel on “Unlocking the Potential of Higher Airspace,” moderated by Claudia Bacco. Here, thought leaders from Sceye, the drone industry, and regulatory bodies explored how to safely integrate high-altitude operations into global airspace frameworks.
Later in the afternoon, participants were treated to a keynote by Mohammad Taher, widely known as “The Airport Guy.” As the UK’s Aviation Ambassador, Taher delivered a passionate address on what inspired him to join the industry and provided valuable insight on how to attract fresh talent into the aviation ecosystem — offering practical strategies and an inspirational call to action that resonated with both seasoned executives and emerging leaders.
The final panel, “Transforming Future Skies,” brought together global stakeholders from ANSPs, regulators, and air navigation bodies to discuss cohesive strategies for collaboration, innovation, and workforce evolution. Moderated by Alex Bristol, this session crystallised the event’s core message: that shaping the skies of tomorrow would require shared vision and coordinated effort across every corner of the industry.
With bold themes, high-level dialogue, and an unmatched sense of momentum, the 2025 Leadership Summit didn’t just launch Airspace World — it set a high bar for innovation, integration, and international cooperation in the future of air traffic management.