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.
“We are on the brink of a new aviation era,” said CANSO President and CEO, Simon Hocquard, “as artificial intelligence, autonomy and cleaner propulsion concepts change the way we fly. Airspace management has a critical role to play in this transformation and the new Seamless Skies awards have been developed to recognise and encourage the adoption of new technologies and concepts which will make all forms of flying safer, more efficient, increasingly environmentally responsible and more beneficial to the wider society.”
Over the next few months the Seamless Skies award organisers will be announcing award categories, judging panel participants, the entry process, and deadlines for submission. 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.
“We want these awards to play an important role in recognising talent and achievement in our industry,” said Simon Hocquard. “We need to attract a new generation of controllers and engineers with skill sets in line with the digital systems transformation we are witnessing. But we also need to recognise the dedication of long-term airspace management professionals who have been pivotal in making civil aviation the safest and most efficient transport sector on the planet.”
The first entries will be accepted in early January. For more information please visit https://globalairspaceradar.com/awards or www.unmannedairspace.info and www.urbanairmobilitynews.com.
