Dr. Eduardo García is Senior Manager for Future Skies at CANSO, the global air navigation service providers association and leads the Complete Air Traffic Systems (CATS) Global Council. We discuss CATS and next milestones.
Born of necessity
Discussing the Complete Air Traffic System (CATS) requires an understanding of how it was born. “CANSO, which has traditionally focused on near-term operational support for air navigation service providers (ANSPs), recognised that the industry lacked a coherent global long-term vision – one capable of integrating the rise of new entrants, advanced air mobility, and autonomous vehicles into a single global framework,” Eduardo explains. And this identified gap created lasting action.
CANSO formed the CATS Global Council and invited the entire industry to participate. “We needed to do it with the airspace users, with airports, manufacturing, IT suppliers and also new actors like the eVTOLs and the uncrewed operators.” The initiative attracted more than 80 organisations and associations. “Virtually everybody who was invited joined and remained actively engaged for over three years, creating a joint vision for the future of air traffic management. There is no financial contribution, no mandate. They join because they believe it is the right thing to do.”
A main deliverable is the CATS Concept of Operations (ConOps), published early 2025. Sixteen essential transformations were identified which the industry must implement over the next three decades, structured around three phases: Airspace and Flight Optimisation based on Advanced Digital Information Sharing, Advanced Automation & Real-time Performance Management, and Seamless Airspace.
CATS ConOps in the spotlight
At the 42nd ICAO Assembly, CANSO submitted a working paper presenting the CATS ConOps as a contribution to the evolution of the Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP). The Assembly encouraged ICAO to take the CATS ConOps into account in the ongoing evolution of the GANP, revisions of the Global ATM Operational Concept (GATMOC), and related initiatives, including ICAO’s vision for advance air mobility (AAM) and higher airspace operations (HAO). A powerful outcome, with IATA, ACI, CANSO and all major associations presenting the document jointly as the industry’s shared vision. “It’s not so common that we do this,” Eduardo notes.
The Assembly tasked ICAO with the development of a Minimum Implementation Path (MIP) to support implementation. This aligns with CATS´ ambition to move from vision to structured roadmaps for delivery. In February 2026 the GANP Study Group initiated work on the MIP, with the objectives of establishing a digital backbone founded on digitalisation, interoperability and service-oriented architecture. “In this new phase, our focus will be supporting shaping the MIP, developing advanced implementation pathways, and elevating our approach to safety to match the increasing complexity and automation of future systems”.
CANSO is using the CATS ConOps to steer the strategic direction of its own global working groups on safety and operations.
Procurement puzzles
Digitalisation and service-oriented architecture implementation will require heavy investments. A benefit of CATS is risk reduction for decision makers: Large-scale infrastructure investment in ATM based on a shared global vision and on agreed technical architecture makes those investments less exposed to fragmentation and stranded asset risk.
This makes the process not just desirable, but commercially compelling. The GANP sets the strategic direction and, through the Aviation System Block Upgrades (ASBUs), provides modular capability elements that States can implement, according to their needs and maturity. “CATS ConOps bridges the coherent WHY and HOW the industry must transform, for legacy ATM and for new air mobility; and the forthcoming MIP becomes the missing puzzle piece. It will guide States and service providers in priorities for procurement”.
Regional engagement, global coherence
Translating a global vision into regional reality is a challenge. The goal was to amplify and align, not to duplicate or compete. Edouardo has been conducting workshops across all regions, adapting the engagement model to each context.
SESAR JU is a member of the CATS Global Council, which ensures that the document does not contradict the European ATM Master Plan. The FAA contributed actively to CATS. Africa has established a formal CATS Africa Steering Committee, meetings in Asia took place and more workshops are planned globally.
Hard conversations to be had
The civil-military dimension and cybersecurity remain areas requiring deeper attention and as digitalisation and interoperability advance, a robust trust framework becomes non-negotiable. Eduardo acknowledges that these will not be easy conversations, but they are exactly the ones the industry cannot afford to defer.
For 2026 and 2027, CATS will work on the MIP proposal which is expected by March 2027, and CANSO is developing advanced implementation pathways for regions that may require more than the minimum baseline. CATS think paper topics for the year ahead include service-oriented architecture (SOA), True North and higher airspace operations (HAO).
The future is already here
“It takes a level of maturity to acknowledge the problem as an industry and to work jointly on solutions”. Europe took approximately 20 years to reach its current level of alignment, supported by regulatory mandates, common projects and private-public-partnerships. Other regions are at an earlier stage – but the CATS framework offers a tool for accelerating that journey and guiding concrete investment decisions. For an industry that has to embrace the growing air traffic and integrating new air mobility there is no alternative. After all, 15 years from now is already 2040.
