Conference Themes for 2026
Eight themes defining the future of air traffic management, explored by global experts at Airspace World 2026.
Themes That Shape Tomorrow’s Skies
The Airspace World Conference 2026 will examine the most urgent and transformative issues in air traffic management. Across eight themes, expert speakers will share insights, innovations, and strategies to help you prepare for the next decade of aviation.
Key Themes for 2026
1
Innovation to Enable Future Skies
Driving advancements in technology, automation and operations to shape tomorrow’s airspace. Explore digital transformation, service-oriented architectures and modular, interoperable systems—showcasing solutions that move from concept to day-to-day operations, boosting performance, capacity and efficiency.
2
Collaborative Operations for Sustainable Skies
Creating efficient, predictable and climate-aligned operations through collaboration. Discover how TBO, A-CDM/ATFM, and SWIM-enabled data sharing improve punctuality, capacity and resilience while cutting fuel burn and CO₂. Learn from airport–ANSP–airline-military partnerships, disruption playbooks and cross-border coordination.
3
Seamless Skies for All
Enabling integrated operations for AAM/eVTOL and higher-airspace/space transportation. Focus on key technology and policy enablers for network integration to ensure safe, secure and scalable operations within the ATM ecosystem.
4
Safety, Security & Resilience in ATM
Strengthening safety while building cyber-secure, resilient operations. Examine safety intelligence, GNSS interference mitigation, contingency and recovery planning, supply-chain and cybersecurity risks, and assurance for increasing automation and AI.
5
People, Skills & Next-Gen
Preparing the workforce for tomorrow’s skies. Explore human-machine teaming, competency-based training and licensing, simulation, new role profiles, and inclusion/retention strategies—plus Tomorrow’s Voices initiatives that connect students and young professionals with real projects.
6
Drones & UTM
Unlocking drone potential through safe integration. Explore risk-based operations, U-space/UTM deployment and governance, ANSP–USSP interfaces and remote identification/compliance, plus commercial use cases scaling to BVLOS and routine services in and around controlled airspace. Include counter-UAS: detection/tracking, geofencing, incident response playbooks, and coordination with airports, ANSPs and law enforcement.
7
Policy, Regulation & Governance
Harmonising rules and enabling delivery at pace. Sessions address performance-based regulation, liability for highly automated systems (AI/automation), data governance and ethics, CNS/spectrum policy, and financing/PPP models that move projects from pilot to programme.
8
Defence & Military
Civil and military integration is critical for secure, efficient skies. Explore how defence and ATM agencies are collaborating on interoperability, resilience, and shared use of airspace. This theme brings together leaders shaping cooperation across civil and military operations.
Driving Change Across the ATM Industry
Each theme is designed to give you actionable knowledge. Whether you’re leading policy, managing operations, or developing new technologies, the Airspace World Conference themes connect directly to your challenges and opportunities.