The first CANSO Airspace Asia Pacific event took place on 9-11 December 2025, in Hong Kong. Air navigation service providers (ANSPs), regulators, policymakers and suppliers across air traffic management (ATM), unmanned air traffic (UTM) and advanced air mobility (AAM) came together to discuss the latest developments in the region and beyond.
Smaller scale, sharper focus
With approximately 70 exhibitors, the show was smaller than Airspace World and exhibitors reported fewer but more relevant visitors, resulting in meaningful contacts. Two theaters provided continuous panels and presentations addressing regional airspace coordination and air traffic flow management (ATFM), UTM/AAM uptake and integration, civil-military challenges, and the future of the workforce and Air Traffic Controller (ATCO) training.
Regional ambitions echoed by leadership
The opening ceremony featured Hong Kong’s Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mabel Chan, who underlined the city’s leadership role in embracing new entrants and emerging technologies. “Hong Kong recognises the power of the lower-altitude economy if implemented in a safe and scalable way into existing airspace,” Chan said. Meanwhile, Simon Hocquard, President and CEO of CANSO, and other inaugural speakers reiterated the importance of collaborative efforts to unlock the region’s full potential.
Growth potential meets structural complexity
The regional market outlook remains bright given Asia Pacific’s growth trajectory. Several contracts and regional agreements were signed and publicised. There was also acknowledgement for the region’s unique challenges where national ANSPs operate across various jurisdictions marked by significant geopolitical tensions and diverse political systems, and where trust cannot be assumed and no coordinating governance body for ATM exists beyond global ICAO rules.
Emerging technologies gather pace
Asia Pacific clearly harbours ambitions to become the world’s leading region for UTM and AAM, with Hong Kong and mainland China actively facilitating regulation for rapid implementation. The forum promoted the term Low Altitude Economy (LAE), describing activities in airspace up to 3,000 metres for both manned and unmanned aircraft including drones and eVTOLs. Applications encompass logistics, emergency services, industrial inspections, agriculture and passenger transportation. LAE’s development requires supportive infrastructure and evolved regulations alongside technological advancement. The commitment from regional policymakers and implementers such as Wisk and Eve Air was evident during panel discussions on UTM and AAM integration.
Observing that market forecasts have often been proved wrong, there is still much speculation about potential business cases. And, the jury is still out on whether integration into live operations will occur faster in the Middle East or Asia Pacific.
The integration imperative
The region’s fragmentation is characterised by technically independent systems across more than 40 states and 42 ANSPs. Civil and military operations are integrated in some states, separated in others, or under military control elsewhere. No coordinating organisation exists, a situation familiar to those with a long memory of European airspace management. On the subject of integration, SESAR representatives shared lessons learned from several European collaboration projects.
The question of establishing an ATFM information exchange and its coordination was addressed during panel discussions and in many side conversations. Credit goes to CANSO for bringing this challenge to the centre stage.
The trust deficit: technology meets geopolitics
Another recurring theme was the region’s lack of trust between operational actors, and the diverging perspectives on building it. How do we translate national security requirements into operational processes, system architectures, new service delivery models and accepted tools? ATM modernisation builds on digitalisation and technologies such as artificial intelligence, but can operational needs counterbalance geopolitical tensions to find common solutions?
The civil-military integration challenges were discussed openly, a prerequisite for addressing the elephant in the room. Attendees heard that technology providers can build trusted IT processes while unlocking business opportunities. A big challenge lies ahead and the first building blocks were carefully tested in Hong Kong.
My takeaways
Collaboration and communication remain key. Traffic forecasts project continuous growth, creating substantial business opportunities for ATM, UTM and AAM suppliers across the whole Asia Pacific region. But the challenges are complex and differ from other regions, and no blueprint exists. The vision and plans are massive, but the systems and governance to deliver them still have to be developed.
The sticking points for ATM efficiency are global and while growth perspectives are bright, all players recognise that expansion will be limited if airspace and airports become congested. Efficiency is hampered when data cannot be shared within a trusted ecosystem, while the shortage of qualified personnel, in particular ATCOs, creates more barriers to traffic growth.
On the upside, CANSO has established itself as a trusted partner for all stakeholders through this new event and participation from attendees shows respect for this ambitious region. The format for future events will evolve based on exhibitor feedback and sponsor commitment. Regional visitors and exhibitors alike embraced the opportunity, knowing that nothing surpasses personal contact with customers.
One panelist summarised nicely: “Let’s be ambitious and let’s be realistic.” They were speaking about AI but the message applies beyond technology, to the region’s outlook, too. As a visitor, I’m sure that an evolved version will reconvene in two years, probably in another emerging hub of this growth region.
