CANSO Leadership Summit 2025

To kick off Airspace World week, senior leaders from CANSO’s Member organisations are invited to the CANSO Leadership Summit 2025.
Our Summit will be held at the stunning and historic venue – Convento do Beato – from 13:00-18:00 on Monday 12 May.
This year, we are excited to invite the CEOs, Focal Points, (or their delegates) from our Member organisations to attend our Summit, as we continue to elevate the event as a key leadership gathering.
The Summit will begin with a light Welcome Lunch at 13:00, with the full programme to be announced shortly. Stay tuned for updates. In the meantime, we are excited to share that two of our keynote speakers have been confirmed.
- David Seymour, Chief Operating Officer, American Airlines will share his insights on the critical transformations the aviation industry will undergo over the next two decades
- Mohammad Taher, otherwise known as the Airport Guy and Aviation Ambassador for the UK, Department for Transport will provide powerful pointers on attracting new talent to build the future of ATM.
Our Programme
13:00 – 14:00 | Welcome Lunch |
14:00-14:05 | Welcome and Opening Speaker: Simon Hocquard, Director General, CANSO |
14:05 – 14:30 | Keynote Speech Speaker: David Seymour, Chief Operating Officer, American Airlines |
14:30 – 14:50 | Fireside Chat What are the Key Transformations that the Aviation Industry will undergo in the next 20 years Participants: Simon Hocquard, Director General, CANSO David Seymour, Chief Operating Officer, American Airlines |
14:50-15:40 | Panel Discussion Smart Skies: Optimising Airspace Through Advanced Digital Information and Automation This panel will delve into how cutting-edge digital technologies, automation, and data-driven systems are transforming airspace management. Experts will discuss how leveraging real-time data, predictive analytics, and advanced automation can enhance operational efficiency, elevate safety standards, and drive sustainability in increasingly complex airspace environments. Moderator: Michelle Bishop, Director Programmes, CANSO Panellists: Mark Cooper, President & CEO, NAV CANADA Maartje van der Helm, General Manager Performance & Development, LVNL Justin Erbacci, Director General, ACI Benjamin Binet, VP & Managing Director Navigation & Surveillance, Thales Todd Citron, Chief Technology Officer, The Boeing Company |
15:40-16:00 | Networking Break |
16:00-16:50 | Panel Discussion Unlocking the Potential of Higher Airspace With growing demand for high-altitude operations (HAO), this session will explore how platforms like stratospheric balloons and solar-powered aircraft can revolutionise connectivity, surveillance, and environmental monitoring. The session will open with brief presentations from Sceye and Stratospheric Platforms on their latest HAO activities. A panel discussion will follow, bringing together industry leaders and regulators to address key challenges in integrating HAO into existing airspace, focusing on regulatory frameworks, cross-border coordination, and the role of automation in ensuring safe, efficient operations. Panellists: Mikkel Vestergaard, CEO, Sceye, Inc Richard Deakin, CEO, Stratospheric Platforms Tim Arel, COO, FAA Andy Thurling, Co-Chair of the HAPS Alliance Aviation Working Group, Vice President of Airspace Innovation at DroneUp |
16:50-17:15 | Keynote Speech Attracting New Talent to Build the Future of ATM Speaker: Mohammad Taher, Aviation Ambassador – UK, Department for Transport, The Airport Guy ![]() |
17:10-17:50 | Panel Discussion Transforming Future Skies This closing session will provide CANSO Leadership Members from around the world with an opportunity to reflect on the day’s key insights and identify transformative ideas that hold the greatest potential to enhance ATM performance in their regions. The panel will also feature a brief exchange with keynote speaker Mohammad Taher, focusing on strategies to attract, recruit, and train the next generation of ATM professionals. Panellists will discuss how to ensure a sustainable workforce and leadership in an era of rapid technological and operational change. Moderator: Alex Bristol, Chief Executive Officer, Skyguide & Chair of CANSO Panellists: Rohan Garib, Executive Manager, Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority Nozipho Mdawe, Chief Executive Officer, ATNS Ahmed Al Jallaf, Assistant Director General, Air Navigation Services, UAE General Civil Aviation Authority Captain Norazman Bin Mahmud, CEO, Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) Arndt Schoenemann, Chief Executive Officer, DFS |
17:50-18:00 | Wrap up and close Speaker: Simon Hocquard, Director General, CANSO |
The day will culminate in our exclusive Airspace World Opening Reception at 19:00, a glittering event offering all Airspace World attendees a great opportunity to network and unwind.
This page is for event information only. Invited participants will receive a separate invitation.
Tickets to the Airspace World Opening Drinks Reception can be purchased when you register for Airspace World 2025 here.