CANSO Airspace World 2026, Portugal - 26 to 29 May 2026

The Deputy Regional Director of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for the Europe and North Atlantic Office participated in the Airspace World 2026 conference, organized by the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO), which took place from 26 to 29 May 2026. This global event is one of the leading annual gatherings for the air traffic management (ATM) community, bringing together air navigation service providers, regulators, industry leaders, and international organizations to discuss developments, challenges, and innovations shaping the future of airspace management. In 2026, the conference placed particular emphasis on the safe integration of new airspace users—including unmanned aircraft systems and advanced air mobility vehicles—as well as enhancing the resilience and sustainability of global ATM systems.

During the event, the Deputy Regional Director supported the ICAO Capacity Development and Implementation Bureau and the Air Navigation Bureau in their engagements with several States and partner organizations. Contributions were made to a number of panel discussions addressing the integration of new entrants into controlled airspace and strategies to strengthen the robustness and adaptability of the global air traffic management system.

In addition, bilateral meetings were held with representatives from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Cyprus, the United Kingdom, and Uzbekistan, as well as with key international stakeholders such as the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation and the SESAR Joint Undertaking (the European research and innovation programme for air traffic management). These discussions focused on matters of shared interest, particularly in relation to the work programmes of the European Aviation System Planning Group and the North Atlantic Systems Planning Group, including regional air navigation planning, modernization initiatives, and coordination efforts to support seamless air traffic operations.