Airways New Zealand and Airservices Australia have signed a memorandum of understanding at Airspace Asia Pacific, aimed at strengthening the ties between the two companies to enhance the safety, efficiency and resilience of air traffic services across the region.

This MOU establishes a framework of enhanced cooperation between the neighbouring ANSPs, who will now collaborate on areas including operational contingency planning, innovation in air traffic management, workforce planning and training, and advanced safety analytics. Under the MOU Airways and Airservices will share knowledge and best practices, work on joint projects, and explore opportunities for secondments and joint training to build workforce capability and resilience.

Peter Curran, Deputy CEO Airservices Australia, said: “We’re trying to take a more strategic perspective on our relationship which is already strong on a day-to-day level. We’re looking at service resilience and workforce planning and some of the more strategic elements in the way we work.”

James Evans, Acting General Manager Commercial for Airways International, Airways’ commercial arm added: “We’re neighbours with a direct boundary halfway across the Tasman, our busiest route internationally, and we’ve been having continuing conversations about efficiencies and resilience in this airspace.”

“A lot of people talk about collaboration, but this MOU puts that into effect and unlocks those future benefits, harnessing our dual capabilities for the greater good.”

Unveiled at the CANSO Airspace Asia Pacific Conference in Hong Kong, the AFR Concept of Operations outlines a concept for a new mode of operation designed to safely scale highly automated and uncrewed flight.

As the global aviation ecosystem rapidly evolves, driven by advanced automation, emerging aircraft types, and increasing airspace complexity, Boeing, SkyGrid, and Wisk have jointly introduced a Concept of Operations for Automated Flight Rules (AFR)—a foundational framework that defines how highly automated and uncrewed aircraft will integrate into the airspace of the future.

Soft-released during the CANSO Airspace Asia Pacific conference in Hong Kong, this milestone underscores the companies’ shared commitment to supporting regulators, Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs), and industry partners as they prepare for the next era of highly automated operations, which will include the integration of novel operations such as Advanced Air Mobility.

A New Mode of Operation for a New Generation of Aviation

For nearly a century, aviation has relied on two primary operating modes: Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). These frameworks have supported modern aviation’s safety, growth, and overall impact, yet they were not designed with highly automated aircraft in mind, such as those equipped with detect-and-avoid systems and advanced mission management automation. AFR is designed to address this gap by complementing, not replacing, VFR and IFR, and by being available to any properly equipped airspace user.

The AFR Concept of Operations proposes a new operating mode that:

• Enables the safe, efficient, and scalable airspace integration of highly automated and uncrewed aircraft.
• Leverages novel aircraft and ground-based systems to automate traffic management functions in specific scenarios.
• Unlocks new operational opportunities—from free-flight concepts to high-density flows in dedicated corridors.

What AFR Enables

AFR will introduce higher levels of automation into how air traffic is organized and how aircraft remain safely separated in specific airspaces and scenarios. Incorporating these capabilities into the design of new flight rules enables several key benefits:

• AFR will support safe, routine uncrewed aircraft operations without the need for waivers or exceptions. Current flight rules assume a pilot is onboard to visually detect other traffic and communicate with ATC.
• AFR will improve airspace access for new entrants, such as Advanced Air Mobility, without an associated increase in air traffic controller workload.
• AFR will offer greater enroute trajectory flexibility to AFR operators by allowing for more complex flight trajectories that remain safely and efficiently deconflicted.

Why Now: Technology and Industry Are Ready

For more than a decade, industry groups and regulators have explored what new flight rules might look like. Today, several forces are converging:

• Aircraft automation technologies are maturing, including onboard detect-and-avoid, mission management, and digital flight controls.
• Airspace digitization is accelerating, with global implementation of ICAO’s GANP and ASBU frameworks.
• Regulators worldwide are actively exploring new flight rule paradigms to support AAM, uncrewed aircraft, and autonomous flight.

This creates a rare inflection point: aviation now has both the need and the technological readiness to introduce a new ruleset built with higher automation in mind.

An Industry Blueprint for the Future of Automated Flight

The AFR Concept of Operations is designed to catalyze global dialogue and align the ecosystem—including ICAO, CAAs, ANSPs, operators, and technology providers—around a shared direction.

It offers:

• A high-level vision for a new mode of operation.
• A rationale for why AFR is necessary.
• Use cases and system implications for airspace, aircraft, and aerodromes.
• A roadmap for future rulemaking, harmonization, and research.

A Call for Collaboration

Evolving the concept of Automated Flight will require coordinated industry action across technical research, standards development, policy advancement, and operational trials. Boeing, SkyGrid, and Wisk are committed to supporting a collaborative, global approach—one that ensures AFR evolves in alignment with safety, interoperability, and the public interest.

As aviation approaches a significant opportunity to evolve operations beyond existing paradigms, AFR represents a bold step forward in shaping a digital, automated, and scalable future for global airspace.

Read the Concept of Operations:

• Thales’ RSM NG radar to enhance air traffic surveillance at Johor Bahru Airport in southern Peninsular Malaysia, ensuring the highest levels of safety and operational efficiency.
• Capable of tracking up to 2,000 aircraft at once, the system supports up to 64 simultaneous data streams to Air Traffic Control Centres, providing seamless coverage for busy airspace.
• By integrating both Mode S[1] and ADS-B detection[2], the radar reduces interference and delivers quicker, more accurate tracking as well as RF pollution reduction.

Thales, in collaboration with local partner Novatis, is upgrading the radar station at Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Senai airport in Johor Bahru, which is operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM). This modernization will enhance both approach surveillance at the airport and surveillance services at Kuala Lumpur Air Traffic Control Centre. With the addition of Thales’ RSM NG radar, the region will now benefit from two Thales radars systems, providing comprehensive coverage across both Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia. This ensures that air traffic controllers can track aircraft position seamlessly, regardless of the conditions.

Thales’ RSM NG secondary surveillance radar will replace the airport’s existing secondary radar with minimal service disruption, strengthening air traffic control at an airport that handles around 5 million passengers per year. Thales will manufacture, deliver and install the RSM NG along with its ADS-B system.

This new system will bring many benefits, including:

• Enhanced airspace surveillance and sovereignty: the RSM NG will deliver real-time information on cooperative aircraft to strengthen Malaysia’s ability to monitor and secure its national airspace.
• Greater reliability and resilience in aircraft identification: its meta-sensor provides more accurate identification and tracking, ensuring continuity of information even in cases of jamming or spoofing attempts.
• Robust cybersecurity protection: Equipped with the latest cybersecurity updates, the RSM NG safeguards critical surveillance data against evolving digital threats.

Thales will install two ADS-B stations as complementary surveillance solutions to enhance radar coverage and expand air traffic control (ATC) surveillance capabilities. This initiative aims to boost the safety and efficiency of air traffic control by providing enhanced detection and enabling better management of aircraft movements within the designated area.

• Haut du formulaire

With over 50 years’ experience in Air Traffic Control and Surveillance, and more than 1,200 radars operating around the globe, Thales is the trusted leader in this domain worldwide. In Southeast Asia, Thales has recently installed radars in Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Thailand.

“Thales is delighted to support the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia in advancing its Digital Strategic Plan. This collaboration marks a significant step towards enhancing both operational efficiency and safety at Johor’s airport. With this new contract, we are reinforcing our commitment to the modernisation of air traffic management and to the long-term development of Malaysia’s aviation infrastructure." Lionel de CASTELLANE, Vice President Air Traffic Radars, Thales. 

[1] Mode S - Mode S is a Selective interrogation Mode allowing receiving precise information from the aircraft such as Aircraft ID, speed, altitude or flight status

1 ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) is a co-operative surveillance system for real-time air traffic control.

Airways New Zealand and Airservices Australia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen collaboration on initiatives that enhance the safety, efficiency and resilience of air traffic services across the region.

The agreement, signed yesterday at the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) Airspace Asia Pacific conference in Hong Kong, establishes a framework for cooperation in areas critical to the future of aviation. These include operational contingency planning, innovation in air traffic management, workforce planning and training, and advanced safety analytics.

Under the MOU, Airways and Airservices will share knowledge and best practices, explore joint projects, and coordinate contributions to regional and international forums such as ICAO and CANSO. The partnership also includes opportunities for secondments and joint training to build workforce capability and resilience.

Airways Chief Executive James Young says the agreement reflects a shared commitment to delivering safe skies today and tomorrow.

“This partnership enables us to combine expertise and resources to address common challenges and deliver innovative solutions for the aviation sector.”

“By working together, we can strengthen operational resilience and support the region’s future growth.”

Airservices Australia Chief Executive Rob Sharp says the MOU gives the two organisations a bilateral platform to jointly deliver significant outcomes for the region and mature air traffic management in the Asia-Pacific.

“The relationship we have with counterparts from New Zealand has strengthened considerably in the last 18 months and formalising our partnership under this MOU will enhance this collaboration,” he says. 

Airways and Airservices currently engage in joint work in training and technology. Airservices’ air traffic controller (ATC) cohorts train in New Zealand and Airservices utilises Airways’ mobile ATC simulators for training in dispersed locations. The Australian provider has also adopted Airways’ SureSelect candidate assessment toolkit to strengthen its recruitment process.

For more information please contact:

Emma Lee, Senior External Communications Advisor
P: +64 21 438 243 E: communications@airways.co.nz

• New regional initiative aims to help ANSPs, airlines and airports improve airspace management in APAC, the world’s fastest-growing aviation market.
• Thales and Aireon are giving ANSPs and airlines free access to trial an advanced flow management tool, enabling greater collaboration across the region’s highly fragmented airspace.

The Asia-Pacific aviation market is projected to grow by up to 72% by 2030. Thales and Aireon are partnering to identify, evaluate and develop operational concepts that will help ANSPs (Air Navigation Service Providers), airlines and airports across the APAC region improve traffic flow across the. airspace. This collaboration aims to help the industry prepare for rapid traffic growth and address the increasing congestion across some of the world’s busiest and most complex airspaces.

Thales is providing free access to its cloud-based TopSky-Flow platform, an advanced solution designed to help ANSPs manage traffic flow across their airspace and airports. The tool is powered by the AireonFLOW space-based ADS-B surveillance product.

This unique trial program will allow ANSPs to safely explore “what-if” operational scenarios, engage in collaborative discussions around real-world challenges, and strengthen coordination between ANSPs and airlines to optimise regional traffic flow.

The initiative builds on Thales’ “Better Skies for Asia” program, launched in 2024 in response to the CANSO Asia Pacific ATM Modernisation white paper, which provides direction and keys to APAC ANSPs in accelerating the modernisation of Air Traffic Management systems across the region.

“Airspace congestion is one of the most significant challenges faced by the aviation industry, particularly in fast-growing regions like Asia-Pacific. With 49 separate FIRs and no established multilateral collaboration framework beyond ICAO guidelines, real-time data sharing and coordinated traffic flow management remain difficult. By giving ANSPs the opportunity to experiment with new flow-management concepts in a safe, collaborative environment, we aim to strengthen inter-ANSP cooperation and help the region prepare for sustained, long-term growth.” Youzec Kurp, Vice President, Airspace Mobility Solutions, Thales.

“AireonFLOW is the market leading ATFM data stream for ANSPs, providing valuable insight into traffic into their airspaces. Our customers are reporting 20 percent better planning precision using the Aireon data. Aireon’s gold-standard data combined with the innovative Thales platform has the potential to bring unprecedented operational efficiency to the Asia-Pacific region.” Peter Cabooter, Aireon Executive Vice President of Customer Affairs.

For more information on Thales’ ATM solutions Airspace Management | Thales Group.

Thales is present at Airspace Asia Pacific (9-11 December) taking place at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong, China.

Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL) has once again achieved level 3 in CANSO's GreenATM accreditation programme. The accreditation confirms that LVNL is still on its established course towards sustainability and has further improved its efforts. The announcement was made last Wednesday, date,  following the GreenATM panel’s review.

The renewed accreditation follows an extensive assessment process in which LVNL demonstrated compliance with the specific requirements for 18 topics. Air traffic control organisations must repeat this process during the first two years after their initial accreditation, after which their accreditation remains valid for 3 years. LVNL has now completed this successfully for the second consecutive year. 

The organisation was not only able to substantiate its current performance levels, but also demonstrated clear progress in several areas, including the following:

• Policy & plan: LVNL has demonstrated that senior management is actively engaged in sustainability, with clear governance arrangements, defined roles across departments and a structured internal control cycle embedded in the LVNL management system. 
• Continuous Climb Operations (CCO): LVNL monitors CCO performance at Schiphol on a monthly basis and achieves almost 100% CCO up to FL245. This is possible because Dutch airspace is designed to structurally facilitate and prioritise CCO.
• Communication, Navigations & Surveillance (CNS) rationalisation: LVNL boasts a high level of maturity in the rationalisation of CNS infrastructure, due in part to its cooperation agreement with neighbouring countries Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg (SURNET).

What is the GreenATM programme?
CANSO's GreenATM programme, launched in 2022, independently assesses air traffic control organisations on their commitment to sustainability and efficiency. The five levels, from 1 to 5, are linked to ambitious targets for both internal organisation and airspace management. More information can be found on CANSO's website.

Indra, a global leader in the development of Air Traffic Management systems, is at the forefront of modernising airspace operations and shaping the future of aviation with solutions that enable safer, more efficient, and sustainable skies. With decades of expertise and a strong commitment to innovation, Indra is transforming the way air traffic is managed, bringing cutting-edge technology to the skies and enabling smarter, more connected airspaces.

As part of this vision, digital towers represent a significant leap forward in air traffic management. These innovative systems are not just a technological upgrade; they are a paradigm shift that redefines the very way we manage airports and air traffic. Moving away from traditional control towers, digital towers empower air traffic controllers with enhanced, real-time situational awareness through the use of high-definition cameras, sensors, and integrated data.

The potential of digital towers goes far beyond simply replacing traditional structures. They offer a more connected and efficient way of managing air traffic, allowing controllers to monitor multiple airports from a single, remote location. This means that airports—whether bustling international hubs or quieter regional airfields—can benefit from a unified, streamlined air traffic management system that enhances safety and operational efficiency.

The Power of Remote Control: A New Era in Air Traffic Management

One of the most compelling aspects of digital towers is their ability to provide remote control. This revolutionary capability allows airports to operate more flexibly and cost-effectively. No longer is there a need to build and maintain multiple physical towers at each airport; instead, a single control center can manage operations at several airports simultaneously, optimizing resources and improving the overall air traffic flow.

Indra has been a pioneer in implementing digital tower solutions, providing airports with the tools they need to meet the growing demands of the aviation industry. By integrating AI, sensors, and real-time data, Indra’s digital towers offer an unparalleled level of situational awareness. Controllers are no longer confined to a limited view from a single tower; instead, they can access comprehensive, high-definition views of the entire airfield and its surroundings, ensuring they are always in control, regardless of their physical location.

This technology also enhances the safety and efficiency of air traffic management. The integration of advanced analytics and AI-driven systems helps identify potential risks before they escalate, reducing human error and allowing controllers to respond to incidents with greater speed and accuracy. From tracking aircraft movements to monitoring ground operations, digital towers provide real-time data that helps make informed decisions, ensuring smoother, safer air traffic operations.

A Cost-Effective and Scalable Solution for Airports

Digital towers also offer significant cost savings for airports. The cost of building and maintaining traditional control towers is substantial, especially for smaller airports or those with fluctuating air traffic volumes. With digital towers, these costs are dramatically reduced. Airports can centralize operations and scale their air traffic management services without the need for additional infrastructure. This approach allows them to adapt quickly to changing demands, increasing capacity without incurring unnecessary costs.

Furthermore, digital towers offer remarkable flexibility. Whether it's a regional airport that needs to monitor air traffic during peak periods or a large international hub that requires high-traffic management, digital towers can be easily scaled and adapted to fit the needs of any airport. Indra’s digital tower solutions are designed with this flexibility in mind, ensuring that airports of all sizes can benefit from the same level of advanced technology and operational efficiency.

Driving Innovation with AI and Advanced Technologies

Artificial intelligence plays a central role in the functionality of Indra’s digital towers. AI-driven systems help air traffic controllers monitor and manage air traffic with unprecedented accuracy. AI can identify anomalies in aircraft configurations, such as issues with landing gear or flaps, and immediately notify controllers, allowing them to take prompt action. Additionally, AI-powered vision systems autonomously track aircraft, vehicles, and personnel, further enhancing security and operational efficiency.

Indra is also introducing a state-of-the-art "A-SMGCS Integrated Digital Remote Tower Platform" that will create a new paradigm of tower control operations in large airports by blurring the border between head-up and head-down activities. This innovation combines traditional air traffic control practices with cutting-edge digital technology, offering controllers a more intuitive and efficient workflow, which significantly enhances operational capabilities.

As the aviation industry moves toward greater automation, AI and other advanced technologies will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of air traffic management. Indra is committed to leading this technological transformation, helping airports across the globe leverage the full potential of digital towers to improve safety, increase capacity, and reduce costs.

A successful Global Impact

Indra’s impact on the global aviation industry is clear, with digital towers already in operation at several key airports around the world. The company’s collaboration with Budapest International Airport is a prime example of how digital towers are revolutionising air traffic management. In this project, Indra helped implement a state-of-the-art system that combines advanced camera technology, AI, and surface movement systems to provide real-time situational awareness and improve operational safety.

In Norway, the NINOX program is one of the largest multi-airport digital tower projects in the world. Managed from a central control center, this initiative involves remote control of 21 airports, demonstrating the scalability and effectiveness of digital towers in handling complex, multi-airport operations.

Al-Ula International Airport in Saudi Arabia is operating fully remotely thanks to the digital tower system developed by Indra and SANS (Saudi Air Navigation Services), together with NERA, its technological solutions and services division. It will be the first airport in the Middle East to incorporate this innovative technology, which enables controllers to manage take-offs and touchdowns via a control center located 550 kilometers from the runway in Jeddah with the highest levels of safety and efficiency.

The digital tower utilizes advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and real-time data analytics to provide unparalleled control and monitoring capabilities.

Indra is one of the world’s leading global technology companies in air traffic, defence, and space, with over three decades of experience delivering innovative air traffic management (ATM) solutions in more than 90% of the world’s countries. Building on this legacy, Indra is helping shape the future of aviation with cutting-edge technologies that make skies safer, more efficient, and more sustainable.

Is your cockpit ready for the future of flight?

The aviation space is evolving rapidly. For airlines and air navigation service providers (ANSPs), the challenges are clear; meet rising demand, comply with environmental regulations and maintain uncompromising safety standards – all while improving operational efficiency. However traditional flight operations are struggling to keep up; reliant on static data and legacy systems, flight ops cannot deliver the agility required for a digital future. The answer lies in connected cockpits – a digital ecosystem that empowers pilots, airlines and ANSPs with real-time insights and smarter decision making.

Why connectivity is a game-changer

A connected cockpit is more than a technological upgrade; it’s a strategic enabler for the entire aviation value chain. By integrating secure IP-based communications, multi-link redundancy and real-time data exchange, connected cockpits deliver three critical benefits:

Real-world examples (show as key stats)

The APAC opportunity

Asia Pacific is projected to be the fastest-growing aviation marketing in the coming decade. With increasing air traffic and complex airspace management challenges, the need for connected, intelligent cockpits are urgent. Airlines that embrace these technologies now stand to gain a competitive edge delivering smarter, greener and more efficient operations while meeting the expectations of regulators and passengers alike.

The connected cockpit is more than a concept, it’s already here. These capabilities are not just about compliance – they unlock new efficiencies, reduce operating costs and pave the way for sustainable aviation.

Is your cockpit ready for the future?

Visit Viasat at Airspace World booth G46 and see how we can help you build smarter, greener skies.

Request a meeting: https://vsat.co/48vrXZY

Website: viasat.com

Hong Kong, China – 9 December 2025 – The Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) is pleased to announce that the Electronic Navigation Research Institute (ENRI) has joined as its newest Research and Academia Member. The membership was formally welcomed today during the opening of Airspace Asia Pacific 2025, the landmark airspace management exhibition convening Asia Pacific aviation leaders - including Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs), airlines, regulatory authorities, research organisations, academia and technology providers.  

ENRI’s inclusion in CANSO’s Research and Academia membership reflects a deepening commitment to bridging research excellence and operational air traffic management (ATM) practice. As a leading Japanese research institute specialising in ATM, communication, navigation, surveillance (CNS), and advanced air navigation technologies, ENRI can bring critical expertise that will enhance CANSO’s capacity to anticipate and address future challenges across global airspace.

By joining CANSO, ENRI will gain access to a global network of ANSPs, and industry stakeholders, offering opportunities to contribute research findings, collaborate on innovation roadmaps, and support the evolution of safe, efficient, and harmonised skies worldwide.

The announcement was made at Airspace Asia Pacific 2025, which this year convenes key stakeholders from across the Asia-Pacific airspace community: “We are delighted to welcome ENRI to the CANSO community,” said Simon Hocquard, CANSO’s President and CEO. “The timing of their membership could not be more appropriate: as the aviation community grapples with rapid technological change, evolving traffic patterns, and new airspace users such as drones, eVTOLs, UTM, research, innovation, and cross-stakeholder collaboration are more important than ever.”

“Joining CANSO offers us a unique opportunity to bridge our research efforts with real-world ATM challenges,” commented Sonosuke Fukushima, Director General of ENRI. “We look forward to collaborating with diverse stakeholders worldwide to shape the future of safe, efficient and sustainable skies.”

Hong Kong - 9 December 2025 - AEROTHAI has been recognised for its strong commitment to environmental responsibility by achieving Level 2 accreditation in CANSO’s environmental accreditation GreenATM programme - becoming the first air navigation service provider (ANSP) in the Asia Pacific region to reach this milestone.

Launched in 2022, CANSO’s GreenATM framework provides a global benchmark to assess and guide ANSPs in improving environmental performance through operational efficiency and sustainable practices. The programme consists of five levels, each representing deeper integration of environmental management into an organisation’s strategy, operations, and culture.

AEROTHAI’s Level 2 assessment highlighted the organisation’s strong foundations in environmental awareness, planning and policy.

The ANSP received full points across all Level 1 categories and presented a comprehensive set of initiatives - many of which are already in progress - to further reduce aviation’s environmental impact.

With continued emphasis on monitoring and measuring benefits, AEROTHAI is well-positioned to progress toward Level 3 in the coming years.

The assessment also praised AEROTHAI’s leadership in Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) and Research and Development (R&D), noting high marks that reflect long-term commitment and regional influence in both areas.

Mr. Surachai Nuprom, Executive Vice President and Acting President of AEROTHAI, said: “The aviation sector is committed to sustainability, a commitment that AEROTHAI fully shares. AEROTHAI focuses on eco-efficiency, integrating environmental responsibility into every aspect of our operations. We work towards improving efficiency in air traffic management, especially in terms of air traffic flow management, flexible use of airspace, performance-based navigation and take an active role in research and development. We also encourage environmental awareness throughout the organization including community engagement in sustainable practices. Achieving Level 2 in CANSO’s GreenATM accreditation represents a significant milestone for AEROTHAI in advancing our sustainability objectives, in alignment with regional and global environmental goals. We remain committed to actively improving our operations and working closely with stakeholders and airspace users towards more sustainable aviation.”

Simon Hocquard, CANSO President and CEO, congratulated AEROTHAI on the achievement: “AEROTHAI’s strong performance in the GreenATM programme reflects a deep and genuine commitment to environmental progress. Their leadership in ATFM and R&D is setting an example not only for the region but for the global aviation community. We are delighted to see AEROTHAI reach this important milestone and look forward to supporting them as they continue their sustainability journey.”