Graham Lake, Director General of CANSO and Peter F. Dumont, President & CEO of Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA), made the announcement during the opening speech of the ATCA 56th Annual Conference and Exposition in Washington, D.C., today. Paul Riemens, CANSO Chairman and CEO of LVNL, the ANSP for the Netherlands, together with Monte Belger, Chairman of ATCA and Vice President of Industry Relations at Metron Aviation, also joined Mr Lake and Mr Dumont for the announcement.

Mr Lake explained that CANSO World will bring together CEOs, senior managers and technical experts from air navigation service providers, manufacturers and suppliers, airlines, and other key stakeholders. He added that the 18,000m2 exhibition will give delegates the opportunity to find out about the latest trends and developments in air traffic management, while the ‘World Conference’ will focus on discussing the priority challenges facing the industry.

Peter F. Dumont, President & CEO of ATCA said: “With a long tradition of organising leading industry events spanning nearly 60 years, ATCA brings significant knowledge and expertise to CANSO World. We are delighted to be working with CANSO and look forward to delivering a first-class event that will shape the future of air traffic control.”

Discussing the reasons for holding CANSO World, CANSO Chairman Paul Riemens noted: “At the CANSO AGM Summit in Bangkok earlier this year CANSO was challenged to take the lead in transforming the ATM industry. I see the launch of CANSO World as an example of how we are doing just that. We’re committed to work with the world’s most forward-thinking aviation leaders to ensure the event is both stimulating and thoughtprovoking.”

CANSO World is already proving popular. So far, nearly 20 organisations have shown their support or have
registered an interest in exhibiting. These include:
• Aena
• Airbus ProSky
• Air Services Australia
• Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA)
• Booz Allen Hamilton
• Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO)
• The Boeing Company
• Harris Corporation
• Indra Sistemas
• Irish Aviation Authority
• Lockheed Martin
• Metron Aviation
• NAV Canada
• Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems
• Raytheon
• Rockwell Collins
• Sunhillo
• Thales

CANSO – The Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation – is the global voice of the companies that provide air traffic control, and represents the interests of Air Navigation Services Providers worldwide. CANSO members are responsible for supporting over 85% of world air traffic, and through our Workgroups, members share information and develop new policies, with the ultimate aim of improving air navigation services on the ground and in the air. CANSO also represents its members’ views in major regulatory and industry forums, including at ICAO, where we have official Observer status.

Greg Russell, CEO of Airservices Australia said that CANSO’s 130 Members are united about the need for change: “CANSO’s goal is to help the industry help itself. This is about bringing together the global aviation community to deliver the transformation that we need, for the benefit of the entire aviation system.”

Eamonn Brennan, Chief Executive, Irish Aviation Authority said: “As an ANSP we stand fully behind CANSO World. It will take some time and effort to pull together, however the combination of CANSO working closely with ATCA on the event logistics is an excellent idea.”

"We are extremely excited about the opportunity to attend a trade show where the all decision makers of the significant ANSPs will be in attendance. We have never had this opportunity before, and we are appreciative of ATCA and CANSO partnering to provide this unique opportunity," said Neil Planzer, VP of Air Traffic
Management at The Boeing Company.

Eric Stefanello, President of Airbus ProSky said: “Time and time again, CANSO has demonstrated the impressive progress that can be made when suppliers and ANSPs work together to define the future of our industry.”

“Lockheed Martin is looking forward to participating in the CANSO World event,” said Sandy Samuel, vice president of Lockheed Martin’s IS&GS-Civil Transportation Solutions business. “As a long-standing associate member of CANSO we see this as an important mechanism to improve communications between industry and the ANSPs.”

Other industry stakeholders have also welcomed the initiative. Tony Tyler, DG & CEO of IATA said: “Efficient air traffic management is critical to the economic viability and sustainable growth of the air transport industry. This can only be achieved through effective dialogue between all stakeholders, especially airlines and air navigation service providers. Congratulations to CANSO for this initiative. It will provide an important platform for the exchange of ideas and formulation of action plans."

Angela Gittens, Director General of Airports Council International (ACI) World said: “ACI is very encouraged by CANSO World and lends its full support to the event. Our industry needs to work together to deliver real improvements so we can all benefit from an ATM system that is fit for the 21st century.”

Referring to the importance of industry collaboration, Mr Lake said that CANSO World is being organised in association with ATCA in order to benefit from their experience and expertise in organising large scale industry events. Following an in-depth analysis of the most suitable location for the event, CANSO and ATCA selected Madrid on the basis of, among others, its cutting-edge facilities, transport connections, cost-effectiveness and temperate climate.

Concluding the announcement, Mr Lake said: “CANSO World will be the leading large-scale international air traffic control event. It’s up to us to lead by example and transform ATM performance together.” For more information visit the event’s dedicated website, www.cansoworld.org.