CANSO Leadership Summit 2026
Airspace World 2026 will, once again, commence for senior leaders from CANSO’s Member organisations with the CANSO Leadership Summit 2026.
We are inviting two senior leaders from each CANSO Member to the CANSO Leadership Summit 2026, which will be held at the impressive Myriad Crystal Centre on Monday 25 May.
The CANSO Leadership Summit 2026 brings together Chief Executive Officers and senior leaders from across the global Air Traffic Management ecosystem at a pivotal moment for aviation. Under the theme “From Vision to Delivery – Skies in Transition,” the Summit will explore how ambitious global visions for future skies are being translated into concrete actions, investments, and operational change.
The programme combines strategic reflection and practical insight, starting with a CANSO update and an inspirational keynote speech from Kiko Dontchev, Vice President of Launch, SpaceX, offering a unique perspective on translating bold vision into real-world delivery at scale. This will set the scene for a high-level Global Panel Discussion, bringing together leaders from ICAO, airlines, airports, industry and CANSO to examine the pathway from global policy and vision—particularly recent ICAO Assembly outcomes—to coordinated, scalable deployment.
The Summit will conclude with a Regional Spotlight, showcasing how CANSO regions are advancing this transition through concrete initiatives, innovative solutions, and lessons learned. By connecting global direction with regional action, the Leadership Summit reinforces CANSO’s role as a platform for alignment, collaboration, and delivery across the ATM community.
The event will close with our Airspace World 2026 Openining Reception, providing an opportunity for continued dialogue among leaders shaping the future of aviation.
Our outline programme
Our programme is being finalised. Please check back regularly for updates on speakers and topics.
| 13:00-14:00 | Welcome Light Lunch |
| 14:00-14:05 | Welcome and Summit Goals Speaker: Tim Arel, Chair, Board of Directors, CANSO |
| 14:05-14:15 | State of the Industry Simon Hocquard, President and CEO, CANSO provides an update on latest industry developments and expectations. |
| 14:15-14:45 | Keynote Speech Speaker: Kiko Dontchev, Vice President of Launch, SpaceX |
| 14:45-15:45 | Global Panel Session: From Vision to Global Deployment This high-level panel brings together senior leaders from across the global aviation ecosystem to discuss how shared visions for the future of air transport can be translated into coordinated, scalable, and globally aligned deployment. The discussion will focus on the role of international policy, industry leadership, and cross-sector collaboration in turning strategic ambition into operational reality. |
| 15:45-16:15 | Networking Break |
| 16:15-17:45 | Regional Spotlight This session showcases how regions are advancing the “Skies in Transition” agenda through concrete initiatives, solutions, and shared challenges. |
| 17:45-18:00 | Wrap-up and fireside chat |
How to register for the CANSO Leadership Summit 2026
- Each CANSO Member organisation will have two free passes, with up to two additional tickets available to purchase. All CANSO Leadership Summit 2026 passes include entrance to the Airspace World 2026 Opening Reception. Invitations to CANSO Member CEOs have been sent.
- Register your attendance at Airspace World 2026 here
- Once you have registered, send your registration ID to Events@CANSO.org, and include your first name, last name, job title and email address.
- If you, as the CEO or Focal Point of your organisation, wish to nominate the second person to attend, please ask them to follow these instructions and send their registration ID and details to Events@CANSO.org.
- Likewise, should you not be able to attend, as CEO, please nominate someone to take your place and ask them to complete the registration process.
- Please send these details no later than 30 April.
- If you feel you should represent your organisation at the Summit, please contact your CANSO Focal Point to discuss this.
Should you wish, you can also buy up to two extra tickets to the Summit and Reception. If you buy these before 12 March, you can take advantage of our early bird offer and pay EUR 1,918 each. From 13 March onwards each ticket will cost EUR 2,324. Contact CANSO Events using the email above should you wish to do this.
Please remember that, should your organisation have more than one CEO or other senior leader, you will still only have two free passes and will need to decide who, within your organisation, accepts the invitation.
A range of sponsorship opportunities are available at our Summit. To find out more contact Sales@CANSO.org.