CANSO Global Safety Conference 2026 – Our Programme
Kindly hosted by Saudi Air Navigation Services (SANS), our conference will be held at the Jeddah Hilton, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from 29 March to 1 April.
The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Navigating the Future: Advancing Aviation Safety for a New Era‘. Over the course of four days, we will continue to build on the progress made at the CANSO Global Safety Conference 2025, in Christchurch, New Zealand, where we enjoyed the hospitality of our hosts, Airways New Zealand.
Through a similar programme of workshops, interactive sessions, and debate and discussion, we will come together again to further strengthen the crucial work we do through our workgroups, and build inclusive and active safety cultures across all our organisations.
There will also be the usual opportunities to network with colleagues old and new.
The Conference will kick-off on Sunday 29 March with a day of Networkshops filled with interactive sessions combining opportunities to meet new colleagues and discuss crucial safety issues.
Agenda
- OVERVIEW
- LIST VIEW
- SUNDAY
- MONDAY
- TUESDAY
- WEDNESDAY
*All speakers are listed in alphabetical order per session.
08:00-09:00
Registration
Al Qasr Foyer
08:00-09:00
Welcome Coffee
Al Qasr Foyer
Sponsored by
09:00-09:30
Welcome
Al Qasr Ballroom
Speakers
Andrea Sack – Austro Control
Anthony MacKay – NAV CANADA
Atif Alharthi – Saudi Air Navigation Services (SANS)
John Wennes – CANSO
09:30-10:30
Beyond Safety Management: Evolving Safety for Pace, Complexity and the Unknown
Al Qasr Ballroom
Facilitators
Dianna Millar – NAV CANADA
Job Brüggen – LVNL
Dr. Sam Espig – NATS
10:30-11:00
Networking Break
Al Qasr Foyer
Sponsored by
11:00-11:30
Debrief from Beyond Safety Management: Evolving Safety for Pace, Complexity and the Unknown
Al Qasr Ballroom
Facilitators
Dianna Millar – NAV CANADA
Job Brüggen – LVNL
Dr. Sam Espig – NATS
11:30-12:30
Return to Service Workshop
Al Qasr Ballroom
Facilitators
Andy Boff – Egis
Luci Holemans – FAA ATO
12:30-13:30
Networking Lunch
Al Qasr Foyer
13:30-15:00
CATS Working Area 2 – Elevating Safety: Enabling Collaborative, Data Driven Safety in ATM
Al Qasr Ballroom
Facilitators
Dave Curtis – NATS
Dr. Eduardo García – CANSO
Jeeja Vengal – FAA ATO
Nate Isbell – SkyGrid
Nicki Harricharan – CANSO
Richard Derrett-Smith – Egis
15:00-15:30
Networking Break
Al Qasr Foyer
Sponsored by
15:30-16:20
Introduction to the Safety Intelligence Analyst Network (SIAN)
Al Qasr Ballroom
Presenter
Bruno Ochin – NAV CANADA
16:20-16:50
Ask Us Anything. How can the CANSO Global Safety Programme Help Your Organisation?
Al Qasr Ballroom
Moderator
Anthony MacKay – NAV CANADA
Panellists
Britt McNeill – FAA ATO
Luci Holemans – FAA ATO
Philipp Wächter – Austro Control
Rachelle Léger – NAV CANADA
Rawan Jambi – Saudi Air Navigation Services (SANS)
16:50-17:00
Closing Remarks
Al Qasr Ballroom
Speaker
Anthony MacKay – NAV CANADA
18:00-21:00
Welcome Reception
Terrace
Hosted by
| Sun 23 August | Event | Location | Contributors |
|---|---|---|---|
08:00-09:00 |
Registration |
Al Qasr Foyer |
|
08:00-09:00 |
Welcome CoffeeSponsored by
|
Al Qasr Foyer |
|
09:00-09:30 |
Welcome |
Al Qasr Ballroom | |
09:30-10:30 |
Beyond Safety Management: Evolving Safety for Pace, Complexity and the Unknown |
Al Qasr Ballroom |
|
10:30-11:00 |
Networking BreakSponsored by
|
Al Qasr Foyer |
|
11:00-11:30 |
Debrief from Beyond Safety Management: Evolving Safety for Pace, Complexity and the Unknown |
Al Qasr Ballroom |
|
11:30-12:30 |
Return to Service Workshop |
Al Qasr Ballroom |
|
12:30-13:30 |
Networking Lunch |
Al Qasr Foyer |
|
13:30-15:00 |
CATS Working Area 2 – Elevating Safety: Enabling Collaborative, Data Driven Safety in ATM |
Al Qasr Ballroom | |
15:00-15:30 |
Networking BreakSponsored by
|
Al Qasr Foyer |
|
15:30-16:20 |
Introduction to the Safety Intelligence Analyst Network (SIAN) |
Al Qasr Ballroom |
Presenter Bruno Ochin |
16:20-16:50 |
Ask Us Anything. How can the CANSO Global Safety Programme Help Your Organisation? |
Al Qasr Ballroom |
Moderator Anthony MacKay |
16:50-17:00 |
Closing Remarks |
Al Qasr Ballroom |
Speaker Anthony MacKay |
18:00-21:00 |
Welcome ReceptionHosted by
|
Terrace |
|
08:00-09:00
Welcome Coffee
Al Qasr Foyer
Sponsored by
08:00-09:00
Registration
Al Qasr Foyer
09:00-09:10
Welcome
Al Qasr Ballroom
Speakers
Anthony MacKay – NAV CANADA
John Wennes – CANSO
09:10-10:00
Introductory Remarks
Al Qasr Ballroom
Speakers
Eng. Abdulaziz Zaid – Saudi Air Navigation Services (SANS)
Anthony MacKay – NAV CANADA
Simon Hocquard – CANSO
10:00-10:45
Keynote Address: Air Navigation Safety Differently
Al Qasr Ballroom
Speaker
Prof. Sidney Dekker – Griffith University
10:45-11:00
Q&A with Prof. Sidney Dekker
Al Qasr Ballroom
Speaker
Prof. Sidney Dekker – Griffith University
11:00-11:30
Networking Break
Al Qasr Foyer
Sponsored by
11:30-12:00
HPM SoE – A How to Guide and Why it Matters
Al Qasr Ballroom
12:00-12:35
From Observer to Advocate: The Human Journey Behind SoE in SMS
Al Qasr Ballroom
Speakers
Dianna Millar – NAV CANADA
Radu Cioponea – EUROCONTROL
12:35-13:35
Networking Lunch
Al Qasr Foyer
13:35-14:30
Panel Discussion: From Measurement to Momentum What Safety Culture Benchmarking is Teaching us about ANSPs
Al Qasr Ballroom
Moderator
Andrea Sack – Austro Control
Panellists
Anthony MacKay – NAV CANADA
Ben Stanley – Firstfruits
Elena Carbonell Aranda – AirNav Ireland
14:30-15:00
Safety Culture and Resilience: Blackout Contingency Management
Al Qasr Ballroom
Presenter
Jesús Romero – ENAIRE
15:00-15:30
Networking Break
Al Qasr Foyer
Sponsored by
15:30-16:10
Crossing the Line: How Close Are We to the Next Runway Incident?
Al Qasr Ballroom
Presenters
Duangtawan Pinpimai – AEROTHAI
James Lewis – Think Research
16:10-16:50
CANSO Global Safety Achievement Award 2025 Finalists
Al Qasr Ballroom
Presenters
Anfernee Poon – Civil Aviation Department (CAD Hong Kong)
Jeeja Vengal – FAA ATO
Saifon Obromsook – AEROTHAI
Sascha Wirfs – Rohde & Schwarz
16:50-17:00
Closing Remarks
Al Qasr Ballroom
Speaker
Andrea Sack – Austro Control
18:00-22:00
Gala Dinner
Park Hyatt, Al Sohba Hall
Hosted by
| Mon 24 August | Event | Location | Contributors |
|---|---|---|---|
08:00-09:00 |
Welcome CoffeeSponsored by
|
Al Qasr Foyer |
|
08:00-09:00 |
Registration |
Al Qasr Foyer |
|
09:00-09:10 |
Welcome |
Al Qasr Ballroom |
|
09:10-10:00 |
Introductory Remarks |
Al Qasr Ballroom | |
10:00-10:45 |
Keynote Address: Air Navigation Safety Differently |
Al Qasr Ballroom |
Speaker Prof. Sidney Dekker |
10:45-11:00 |
Q&A with Prof. Sidney Dekker |
Al Qasr Ballroom |
Speaker Prof. Sidney Dekker |
11:00-11:30 |
Networking BreakSponsored by
|
Al Qasr Foyer |
|
11:30-12:00 |
HPM SoE – A How to Guide and Why it Matters |
Al Qasr Ballroom |
|
12:00-12:35 |
From Observer to Advocate: The Human Journey Behind SoE in SMS |
Al Qasr Ballroom |
|
12:35-13:35 |
Networking Lunch |
Al Qasr Foyer |
|
13:35-14:30 |
Panel Discussion: From Measurement to Momentum What Safety Culture Benchmarking is Teaching us about ANSPs |
Al Qasr Ballroom |
Moderator Andrea Sack |
14:30-15:00 |
Safety Culture and Resilience: Blackout Contingency Management |
Al Qasr Ballroom |
Presenter Jesús Romero |
15:00-15:30 |
Networking BreakSponsored by
|
Al Qasr Foyer |
|
15:30-16:10 |
Crossing the Line: How Close Are We to the Next Runway Incident? |
Al Qasr Ballroom |
|
16:10-16:50 |
CANSO Global Safety Achievement Award 2025 Finalists |
Al Qasr Ballroom |
|
16:50-17:00 |
Closing Remarks |
Al Qasr Ballroom |
Speaker Andrea Sack |
18:00-22:00 |
Gala DinnerHosted by
|
Park Hyatt, Al Sohba Hall |
|
08:00-09:00
Welcome Coffee
Al Qasr Foyer
Sponsored by
08:00-09:00
Registration
Al Qasr Foyer
09:00-09:05
Welcome Remarks
Al Qasr Ballroom
Speaker
John Wennes – CANSO
09:05-09:15
Recap from Day 2
Al Qasr Ballroom
Speaker
Andrea Sack – Austro Control
09:15-10:05
Introducing the CANSO Fatigue Risk Management Task Force
Al Qasr Ballroom
Moderator
Mohamed Al Zaabi – UAE – GCAA
Panellists
Dr. Maximilian Peukert – LFV Sweden
Marian Schuver-van Blanken – MovingDot
Nick Fuller – FAA ATO
Rachelle Léger – NAV CANADA
10:05-10:40
Eyes in the Sky, Risks on the Ground: Confronting the Reality of Drone Incursions
Al Qasr Ballroom
Facilitators
James Lewis – Think Research
Philipp Wächter – Austro Control
Radu Cioponea – EUROCONTROL
10:40-11:10
Networking Break
Al Qasr Foyer
Sponsored by
11:10-11:55
Losing the Signal: Tracking and Monitoring GNSS Integrity Risks
Al Qasr Ballroom
Presenters
Britt McNeill – FAA ATO
Chris Devlin – Aireon LLC
11:55-12:35
External Security Regulation on ANSPs
Al Qasr Ballroom
Speaker
Andy Boff – Egis
12:35-13:35
Networking Lunch
Al Qasr Foyer
13:35-14:10
Safety Considerations for Advanced Air Mobility Integration into the ATM Environment
Al Qasr Ballroom
Presenters
Dave Curtis – NATS
Nate Isbell – SkyGrid
Nicki Harricharan – CANSO
14:10-14:55
Safety Versus Security
Al Qasr Ballroom
Speakers
Luci Holemans – FAA ATO
Robert Westerberg – NATS
14:55-15:25
Networking Break
Al Qasr Foyer
Sponsored by
15:25-16:05
Introducing AI to Aviation Safety
Al Qasr Ballroom
Presenter
Britt McNeill – FAA ATO
16:05-16:35
Update on Safety Information Exchange Programme (SIEP)
Al Qasr Ballroom
Presenter
Paul Engelen – LVNL
16:35-17:00
Closing Remarks
Al Qasr Ballroom
Speakers
Anthony MacKay – NAV CANADA
Atif Alharthi – Saudi Air Navigation Services (SANS)
18:00-23:00
Jeddah Historical Visit and Dinner
Al-Balad
Hosted by
| Tue 25 August | Event | Location | Contributors |
|---|---|---|---|
08:00-09:00 |
Welcome CoffeeSponsored by
|
Al Qasr Foyer |
|
08:00-09:00 |
Registration |
Al Qasr Foyer |
|
09:00-09:05 |
Welcome Remarks |
Al Qasr Ballroom |
Speaker John Wennes |
09:05-09:15 |
Recap from Day 2 |
Al Qasr Ballroom |
Speaker Andrea Sack |
09:15-10:05 |
Introducing the CANSO Fatigue Risk Management Task Force |
Al Qasr Ballroom |
Moderator Mohamed Al Zaabi |
10:05-10:40 |
Eyes in the Sky, Risks on the Ground: Confronting the Reality of Drone Incursions |
Al Qasr Ballroom |
|
10:40-11:10 |
Networking BreakSponsored by
|
Al Qasr Foyer |
|
11:10-11:55 |
Losing the Signal: Tracking and Monitoring GNSS Integrity Risks |
Al Qasr Ballroom |
|
11:55-12:35 |
External Security Regulation on ANSPs |
Al Qasr Ballroom |
Speaker Andy Boff |
12:35-13:35 |
Networking Lunch |
Al Qasr Foyer |
|
13:35-14:10 |
Safety Considerations for Advanced Air Mobility Integration into the ATM Environment |
Al Qasr Ballroom |
|
14:10-14:55 |
Safety Versus Security |
Al Qasr Ballroom |
|
14:55-15:25 |
Networking BreakSponsored by
|
Al Qasr Foyer |
|
15:25-16:05 |
Introducing AI to Aviation Safety |
Al Qasr Ballroom |
Presenter Britt McNeill |
16:05-16:35 |
Update on Safety Information Exchange Programme (SIEP) |
Al Qasr Ballroom |
Presenter Paul Engelen |
16:35-17:00 |
Closing Remarks |
Al Qasr Ballroom |
|
18:00-23:00 |
Jeddah Historical Visit and DinnerHosted by
|
Al-Balad |
|
08:00-09:00
Welcome Coffee
Mezzanine Floor Foyer
09:00-11:45
Human Performance Management Workgroup Meeting
Mezzanine Floor Foyer 2
09:00-11:45
Next Gen SMS Workgroup Meeting
Mezzanine Floor Foyer 3
09:00-11:45
Safety Intelligence Workgroup Meeting
Mezzanine Floor Foyer 4
09:00-11:45
Cyber Safety Workgroup Meeting
Mezzanine Floor Foyer 1
09:00-11:45
Safety Standing Committee Steering Group Meeting
Mezzanine Floor Foyer 5
12:30-13:00
Networking Lunch
Mezzanine Floor Foyer
13:30-17:30
SANS Facilities Tour
SANS HQ and ACC
14:30-23:55
Visit to Mecca for Umrah (for Muslims only)
Mecca
Hosted by
| Wed 26 August | Event | Location | Contributors |
|---|---|---|---|
08:00-09:00 |
Welcome Coffee |
Mezzanine Floor Foyer |
|
09:00-11:45 |
Human Performance Management Workgroup Meeting |
Mezzanine Floor Foyer 2 |
|
09:00-11:45 |
Next Gen SMS Workgroup Meeting |
Mezzanine Floor Foyer 3 |
|
09:00-11:45 |
Safety Intelligence Workgroup Meeting |
Mezzanine Floor Foyer 4 |
|
09:00-11:45 |
Cyber Safety Workgroup Meeting |
Mezzanine Floor Foyer 1 |
|
09:00-11:45 |
Safety Standing Committee Steering Group Meeting |
Mezzanine Floor Foyer 5 |
|
12:30-13:00 |
Networking Lunch |
Mezzanine Floor Foyer |
|
13:30-17:30 |
SANS Facilities Tour |
SANS HQ and ACC |
|
14:30-23:55 |
Visit to Mecca for Umrah (for Muslims only)Hosted by
|
Mecca |
|
Speakers
Mohamed Al Zaabi
Acting Manager, Quality and Safety
UAE – GCAA
Atif Alharthi
Safety, Quality & Environment Executive Director
Saudi Air Navigation Services (SANS)
Andy Boff
Chief Technology Officer
Egis
Job Brüggen
Safety Officer
LVNL
Elena Carbonell Aranda
Human Factors Expert
AirNav Ireland
Radu Cioponea
Senior Team Leader
EUROCONTROL
Dave Curtis
Safety and Sustainability Director
NATS
Prof. Sidney Dekker
Professor and Founder of the Safety Science Innovation Lab
Griffith University
Richard Derrett-Smith
Director Aviation
Egis
Chris Devlin
Vice President Products and Strategy
Aireon LLC
Paul Engelen
Safety Expert
LVNL
Dr. Sam Espig
Head of Safety Management System
NATS
Nick Fuller
Assistant Administrator of Aviation Safety Management
FAA ATO
Dr. Eduardo García
Senior Manager for Future Skies
CANSO
Nicki Harricharan
Operations Programme Manager
CANSO
Simon Hocquard
President and CEO
CANSO
Luci Holemans
Cybersecurity Executive Advisor
FAA ATO
Nate Isbell
Head of Business Development
SkyGrid
Rawan Jambi
Corporate Strategy & Sustainability Director
Saudi Air Navigation Services (SANS)
Rachelle Léger
Director, Safety Management System and Human Performance Management
NAV CANADA
James Lewis
Senior Aviation Consultant
Think Research
Anthony MacKay
Vice President and Chief Safety & Quality Officer, and Chair, CANSO Safety Standing Committee Steering Group
NAV CANADA
Britt McNeill
Group Manager, Safety Analysis
FAA ATO
Dianna Millar
Manager, Safety Strategy, Planning and Research
NAV CANADA
Saifon Obromsook
Director, Safety Management Department
AEROTHAI
Bruno Ochin
Manager, Safety Intelligence
NAV CANADA
Dr. Maximilian Peukert
Human Factors Specialist
LFV Sweden
Duangtawan Pinpimai
Safety Expert – Director Level
AEROTHAI
Anfernee Poon
Senior Operations Officer (Strategic Planning)
Civil Aviation Department (CAD Hong Kong)
Jesús Romero
Safety and Security Manager
ENAIRE
Andrea Sack
Director Safety, Security & Quality Management, Austro Control and Vice-Chair, CANSO Safety Standing Committee Steering Group
Austro Control
Marian Schuver-van Blanken
Lead Consultant Human Performance & Safety
MovingDot
Ben Stanley
Chief Executive Officer
Firstfruits
Jeeja Vengal
Manager Space Operations Group
FAA ATO
Philipp Wächter
Safety Manager
Austro Control
John Wennes
Safety Programme Manager
CANSO
Robert Westerberg
Strategic Threat & Risk Lead
NATS
Sascha Wirfs
Director Sales ATC
Rohde & Schwarz
Eng. Abdulaziz Zaid
CEO
Saudi Air Navigation Services (SANS)