If Tuesday set the direction, Wednesday at Airspace World 2026 moves decisively into implementation — with a focus on how innovation is translated into safe, scalable operations across the system.
The Boeing Theatre kicks off the day’s highlights with another high-level CANSO CEO Conversation: Strengthening the Skies – Technology, Resilience and Civil-Military Collaboration in a New Geopolitical Era (11:00–11:50). Against a backdrop of growing demand and increasing geopolitical complexity, the session explores how ANSPs can enhance resilience, integrate military requirements and scale capacity while maintaining performance across the network.
From there, attention shifts to the Frequentis Theatre for A6 Alliance: Digitalisation, Virtualisation & Operational Innovation in European ATM (12:00–12:50). Representing ANSPs responsible for the majority of Europe’s air traffic, the session examines how technologies such as cloud, virtualisation and data platforms are enabling a transition towards more flexible, service-based ATM architectures.
In parallel, the Viasat Theatre offers a forward-looking perspective with ATM Automation in 2050 and Beyond: How Far Will We Go? (12:00–12:50). Looking beyond near-term deployment, the session explores how automation could reshape operational roles, system design and human–machine collaboration over the coming decades.
The early afternoon turns to operational readiness in the Frequentis Theatre with The Future of Air Traffic Management: How Ready Are We for AI Integration? (13:00–13:50). Bringing together research, ANSP and industry perspectives, the session explores how AI-enabled tools are already supporting controllers — and what is needed to scale their use safely and effectively.
At the same time, the Integra Theatre focuses on system resilience through Resilience and Civil-Military Cooperation (13:00–13:50). As Europe’s security environment evolves, the session highlights the need for stronger interoperability and coordination between civil and military stakeholders to ensure continuity of operations.
Later in the day, the human dimension takes centre stage in the Wing Theatre with Co-Designing Change for Future Skies: A Human-Centred Approach to ATM Transformation (15:30–16:20). Bringing together leaders from across the ATM community, the session explores how organisations can design transformation in a way that supports workforce confidence and ensures that people remain central to system evolution.
“Wednesday is about making innovation tangible,” said Samantha Hawrysko, Airspace World Content Manager. “Across the programme, we see how technologies like AI and automation are being introduced into real operations — and the importance of aligning that with resilience, regulation and the human dimension.”