2025 Agenda

The aviation industry stands on the brink of transformative change as outlined in the CATS Global Council’s Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for Future Skies. This visionary strategy promises to integrate advanced automation, adaptive airspace structures, and emerging technologies to optimize safety, efficiency, and sustainability. However, these advancements will profoundly impact the people at the heart of air traffic management (ATM). This panel discussion brings together the Director General of CANSO and three leaders from ATC unions from around the world to explore the implications of this transformation on air traffic controllers, related personnel, and the organizations within which they work.
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Key topics include the evolving roles and responsibilities of ATCOs, intensified training demands, and strategies for addressing workforce concerns such as workload management, job security, and liability in an increasingly automated system. The panel will also discuss the challenges of cross-jurisdictional regulatory harmonization and the need for equitable resource
allocation to support this transition. Combining diverse perspectives from management and labour, the discussion aims to highlight collaborative pathways for balancing innovation with workforce well-being, ensuring a seamless and inclusive transition to the skies of 2045.
This session invites aviation professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders to engage in a dialogue on navigating these changes collaboratively, ensuring that the human dimension remains central to the future of airspace management.