NAT SPG/62 Advances North Atlantic Air Navigation Modernization and Safety Initiatives, Paris - 30 June to 2 July 2026

The Sixty-Second Meeting of the North Atlantic Systems Planning Group (NAT SPG/62) was held at ICAO’s EUR/NAT Office in Paris from 30 June to 2 July 2026, bringing together States, air navigation service providers (ANSPs), industry representatives and ICAO experts to review progress and set priorities for the future of North Atlantic aviation.

A key focus of the meeting was the continued modernization of North Atlantic operations. Participants endorsed the establishment of a new EUR/NAT FF-ICE Task Force to coordinate implementation of Flight and Flow Information for a Collaborative Environment (FF-ICE), ensuring harmonized regional deployment and support for future trajectory-based operations. The meeting also reviewed developments in data link communications, space weather resilience, and emerging technologies such as space-based VHF communications.

The Group noted significant progress in the NAT Oceanic Clearance Removal (OCR) programme. Following successful implementation and completion of post-implementation monitoring, the OCR Project Team will be disbanded, with oversight transitioning to established NAT safety and performance mechanisms. Canada and Iceland shared positive operational experiences supporting the long-term objective of simplifying oceanic procedures and reducing pilot-controller workload.

Growing space transport activity in the North Atlantic region was another major topic. The meeting agreed to establish a dedicated NAT Space Transport Operations (STO) Project Team to develop common practices, improve information sharing, and support harmonized approaches to risk management and airspace integration. The initiative reflects increasing recognition of the operational and economic impacts of commercial space launches on aviation stakeholders.

On safety matters, NAT SPG endorsed enhancements to the NAT Annual Safety Report, including a stronger executive summary, improved narrative analysis, and greater emphasis on safety achievements and future priorities. The meeting also approved new service performance indicators for the NAT Central Monitoring Agency and supported improvements to the NAT safety occurrence fast-track process.

The Group reviewed the North Atlantic traffic forecast for 2026–2030 and, recognizing ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainties, agreed to adopt a balanced forecasting approach using both NAT and EUROCONTROL STATFOR data. Average annual traffic growth across the region is projected at approximately 2.7 per cent over the five-year period.

Additional outcomes included updates to key NAT documentation, continued work on volcanic ash contingency planning, strengthened coordination with the South Atlantic region, and new initiatives to improve data governance and stakeholder communication across NAT groups.

Overall, NAT SPG/62 reaffirmed the region’s commitment to maintaining high levels of safety while advancing modernization, innovation, and operational efficiency across one of the world’s busiest international airspace systems.