The aviation industry stands at a critical turning point. With growing traffic volumes, increasingly diverse airspace users, and rising environmental expectations, the need for a new, integrated approach to airspace management has never been more urgent.
In response, a broad coalition of aviation stakeholders came together in 2021 to form the Complete Air Traffic System (CATS) Global Council. Today, this group proudly launches the CATS CONOPS for Future Skies — a strategic vision and operational blueprint to guide the transformation of air traffic management (ATM) through to 2045.
What is the CATS Global Council?
Established by the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) in 2021, the CATS Global Council is an international think tank that brings together over 80 organisations from across the aviation ecosystem — including Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs), airlines, airports, aerospace manufacturers, innovators, and new air mobility providers. Its mission: to foster collective industry leadership and chart a shared path toward the skies of the future.
What is the CATS CONOPS?
The Complete Air Traffic System (CATS) Concept of Operations outlines a step-by-step pathway to a seamless, scalable, and sustainable airspace system. Co-created by stakeholders across all segments of aviation, it provides for the integration of both conventional and emerging operations into a unified airspace framework.
The CATS CONOPS is structured around three transformational phases:
- Phase 1: Airspace and Flight Optimisation through Advanced Digital Information Sharing
- Phase 2: Advanced Automation and Real-Time Performance Management
- Phase 3: Seamless Airspace – A Fully Integrated Aviation Environment
Why It Matters
The CATS CONOPS is more than just a technical document — it’s a collective call to action. It offers the aviation community a clear and transformative pathway to modernise ATM, ensuring the safe and efficient integration of drones, Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing aircraft (eVTOL), high-altitude platforms, and future innovations.
A Word from the Chair
“The CATS CONOPS is a landmark industry initiative to shape the future of airspace — one that is inclusive, forward-looking, and globally harmonised. This isn’t about fine-tuning the old system — it’s about reimagining how all airspace users, both traditional and emerging, can operate safely and seamlessly in tomorrow’s skies”
— Simon Hocquard, Director General of CANSO and Chair of the CATS Global Council
Voices from the Industry
“ACI World is focused on helping airports meet the growing demand for capacity, both on the ground and in the air. Improved global air navigation systems and fostering better global alignment on these systems are necessary for the industry to accommodate the growth of travel that is in store for us. CANSO’s CATS CONOPS offers an innovative and comprehensive approach toward an enhanced global airspace navigation solution – a solution developed by experts from major global stakeholders.”
— Justin Erbacci, Director General, Airports Council International (ACI) World
“Not long ago, autonomous flight operations were associated with a distant future. But today, the discussions among a range of industry stakeholders and experts have led to a clear roadmap that places autonomous operations on the visible horizon. There’s also a path for these operations to occur in a highly automated and highly integrated airspace environment. Ultimately, as a company entirely focused on demonstrating and advancing automation in the airspace, Wisk is supportive of this document and looking forward to the impact it will have on the entire AAM ecosystem.”
— Erick Corona, Director of Airspace Operational Integration – Autonomous Flight, Wisk
“In the next two decades, air travel will almost triple in the Asia-Pacific region. The CATS CONOPS outlines a pathway for regions to increase their capacities through transformational operational concepts enabled by investments in technology and information sharing. CAAS is privileged to be a member of the CATS Global Council and to have participated in the development of the CATS CONOPS.”
— Kok Juan Han, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)
“Dubai Air Navigation Services (dans) is dedicated to lead the way in aviation, guaranteeing flawless integration of cutting-edge technology demonstrated at events such CATS CONOPS into our airspace control. Using creativity to change operational excellence, we are committed to create a sustainable, safe, and efficient future sky. Our involvement confirms our responsibility as a driver of development and facilitates us to match our offerings to the changing needs of the worldwide aviation scene.”
— Ibrahim Ahli, CEO, Dubai Air Navigation Services – dans
“Frequentis supports the CATS CONOPS because it embodies a collaborative and disruptive approach of future airspace management, bringing together diverse stakeholders to co-create a unified airspace ecosystem. This strategic vision aligns perfectly with Frequentis’s commitment to innovation and technology leadership, ensuring a seamless integration of both traditional and new airspace users.”
— Markus Klopf, Director Product Strategy and International Affairs, Frequentis
“Noblis is proud to support the visionary Complete Air Traffic System Concept of Operations, contributing our technical expertise to advance a safer, more efficient, and viable future for aviation. Through global collaboration, we are committed to bringing the right mix of emerging technologies to accelerate innovations and seamlessly integrate the air transportation network worldwide”.
— Mile Corrigan, President & CEO, Noblis
“From the very start, CATS has aimed to collaborate with all stakeholders across the industry to drive the necessary changes. Seeing that approach in action strengthens my belief that CATS will be a success—teamwork works. AeroConnect is a proud strategic partner of the CATS initiative.”
— Arie Herweijer, Managing Director, AeroConnect
“Indra has contributed to this initiative as an active participant of CANSO activities, and considering the relevance of this CATS CONOPS in the context of the vision of the future air traffic management: it highlights the need for transformation towards a fully integrated, scalable, and sustainable air traffic management.”
— Oscar López, Director ATM, Indra
“The release of the CATS Global Concept marks a milestone in deploying modernized architectures, services, and trajectory-based operations worldwide. As the trusted disruptor and managed CNS partner around the world, we are proud of the collaboration between ANSPs and industry on this groundbreaking framework. We look forward to supporting our customers in the adoption of new technologies while bringing this concept to life and making global airspace harmonization a reality.”
— Kathy Crandall, President, Mission Networks, L3Harris Technologies
What’s Next
The CATS CONOPS will serve as a foundation for future dialogue, regional implementation strategies, and industry innovation. We invite all aviation stakeholders to explore its content and join us in building the skies of tomorrow — safe, connected, automated, and sustainable.
