World ATM Congress 2021 opened this morning at IFEMA, Feria de Madrid. With an expected attendance of around 6,700 people from around the globe, including 172 exhibitors and 225 speakers, the world’s largest air traffic management (ATM) event will tackle key industry issues. These include expanding airspace capacity, managing drone traffic, integrating new entrants, and continuing the political and regulatory work involved in airspace harmonisation worldwide. The event also showcases the latest products, services, and thought-leadership in ATM.

World ATM Congress Day 1 : Wrap Up

World ATM Congress is a Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) partnership with the Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA). In its eighth year, World ATM Congress offers three days of hands-on learning with renowned experts, thought-provoking discussions with fellow ATM professionals, and first-rate networking with aviation leaders from across the globe. The event takes place from 26 to 28 October 2021, featuring an expansive Exhibition Hall and seven Education Theatres free to all registrants.

His Majesty the King Inaugurates World ATM Congress 2021

His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain officially opened the event witdigith Isabel Pardo de Vera, Spain’s Secretary of State for Transportation, Mobility and Urban Agenda and ENAIRE President, Simon Hocquard, Director General of CANSO, and Brian R. Bruckbauer, President and CEO of ATCA.

His Majesty discussed the opportunities that arise with digitalisation and the integration of new users, such as drones. He also noted the importance of security and sustainability, and how collaboration is of paramount importance as air traffic levels recover.

“We must do our utmost to make the Single European Sky initiative a reality,” said His Majesty. “This EU Commission initiative is firmly committed to overcoming the fragmentation of airspace by using it efficiently, thanks to more modern technologies and collaborative management of the network, enabling its users to fly more environmentally-friendly routes.”

“Today’s event is a good opportunity to highlight the decisive efforts that the aviation industry is undertaking to make environmental commitment a strong requirement for its activity. In this regard, we all applaud Spain´s determination to work towards the sustainable development of global air transport as a factor for social cohesion and well-being for all.”

Isabel Pardo de Vera, Spain’s Secretary of State for Transportation, Mobility and Urban Agenda and ENAIRE President, echoed His Majesty’s support for collaborative initiatives. “Our Ministry has developed an action plan for the deployment of U-space services that will make possible the automated and digitised management of drone operations.

Introducing the Expodrónica Pavilion

This year, World ATM Congress is hosting the inaugural Expodrónica Pavilion, with support from UMILES, Spain’s largest consortium of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) companies, featuring a complete programme and exhibition on the future of flight and the integration of advanced air mobility (AAM), UAS traffic management (UTM), autonomous and remotely piloted aerial vehicles (AAV/RPAS), novel air traffic management (ATM) systems, and other drone or AAM-related services, including the search and rescue, emergency response, agriculture, public utility, and the audio-visual sectors.

Expodrónica Pavilion includes two theatres, the Civil UAVs Initiative (CUI) Theatre, in collaboration with CIRCE & Transnet Project, dedicated to panels and thought leadership and the Openvia Air Campfire by Globalvia, featuring product demos and presentations from exhibitors and sponsors.

The Maverick Awards presented by World ATM Congress

The winners of the inaugural Maverick Awards presented by World ATM Congress were announced this afternoon.

• The Collaboration Award was awarded to ASECNA for their operationalising of space-based ADS-B throughout the 16.1 million square kilometres of airspace it oversees across its many Member States.
• The Innovation Award was awarded to the Four-Dimensional Trajectories (4DT) Live Flight Demonstration (LFD) Team (a collaboration between FAA, Boeing, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), three airlines, and several other partners), for leveraging FAA NextGen investments in SWIM, data communications, PBN, FF-ICE, etc., and included novel live flights using 4DT-based operations.
• The Sustainability Award was awarded to Frequentis for their Orthogon Arrival Manager (AMAN) System. First deployed in Zurich in 2001, Orthogon AMAN has saved more than 1 million tonnes of CO2 emissions globally within its 20 years of operations.

The seven Education Theatres will feature over 225 speakers, providing attendees with an array of industry knowledge and discussions about today’s challenges with ATM experts. Some of today’s topics included unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) traffic management (UTM), sustainability, autonomous advanced air mobility (AAM), and commercial space and urban air mobility (UAM). The Education Theatres are dispersed throughout the Exhibition Hall floor where 172 exhibitors are showcasing their innovative products and services to customers from around the world.

On Thursday afternoon, Airborne demonstrations will also be hosted at Cuatro Vientos Aerodrome. Field demonstrations showcase innovative new technology enabling safe and efficient airspace integration in an actual airport environment.