A new generation of industry awards for Airspace World 2026

The Seamless Skies awards

The Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) and publishing partners Global Airspace Radar and Unmanned Airspace / Urban Air Mobility News have announced a new set of industry awards for Airspace World 2026.

The Seamless Skies Awards have been developed to recognise exceptional achievements in the global air traffic management (ATM) and UAS traffic management (UTM) sectors during 2025. As the individual categories are defined, expect to see new market entrants such as Urban Air Mobility (UAM) represented.

Over the next few months the Seamless Skies award categories, judging panel participants, the entry process, and deadlines for submission will be announced. The shortlisted finalists will be announced in advance of and winners/runner-ups will be announced at Airspace World 2026. This is the only truly global event that brings the worlds of crewed and uncrewed aviation together to decide an equitable and progressive global airspace.

The first entries will be accepted in early January. Bookmark this page for regular updates or send any advance questions to awards@globalairspaceradar.com.

2026 Seamless Skies Awards Categories

Collaborative operations for sustainable skies

This award recognises successful partnerships between ANSPs, industry, aircraft operators, research organisations, and others to deliver new levels of airspace management performance – improving safety, reducing delays and environmental impact while delivering a more cost-effective operational outcome.

Innovation to enable safer, more efficient operations

Driving advancements in technology, automation, and operations to shape the skies of tomorrow. This award celebrates projects that explore the latest innovations demonstrating how cutting-edge technologies such as digitisation, virtualisation, and artificial intelligence can enhance performance, efficiency, safety, sustainability, and capacity in airspace operations.

Building the lower airspace economy

With drones, eVTOLs, and personal flying vehicles about to take to the skies in increasing numbers, this award acknowledges the work that has been done to prepare lower airspace for safe and efficient new entrant operations, including integration with current ATM systems and procedures.

Remarkable people & workforce

This award celebrates the contribution that individuals, teams or company programmes have made to the airspace management industry – which could be ensuring the continuance of operations during crises or delivering an improved performance to customers.

Safety, security & resilience

This award acknowledges projects which support resilience to disruptions and unforeseen events and maximise operational performance ensuring that both safety and service continuity in extreme circumstances is possible.

Seamless Skies for All

A project or organisation which has delivered a measurable improvement to the optimisation of airspace management performance, supporting airspace users to meet their business and operational goals.