As the aviation sector evolves to accommodate growing demand, sustainability imperatives and rapid technological advancements, Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) find themselves at the heart of transformation. Vijay Bhaskar explores the immense potential to drive innovation at ANSPs, with a balanced approach that offers practical solutions to systemic challenges.
Transforming ANSPs – Navigating new demands, accelerating innovation
Published 25.02.25
3 mins read
Challenges in innovation
Innovation within ANSPs is a multifaceted endeavour. As High-Reliability Organizations (HROs), ANSPs operate in environments where safety, precision, and consistency are vital. These core priorities, while essential, can sometimes create unintended barriers to innovation. For example, the intrinsic focus on risk mitigation can make embracing the uncertainty inherent in exploratory initiatives challenging. Additionally, clear organisational structures—designed to ensure accountability and specialised expertise—can inadvertently limit collaboration and slow the integration of new ideas if cross-functional communication is not actively encouraged.
Technology presents another layer of complexity. Today, ANSPs typically operate on systems built lasting 15-20 years. While this provides stability, the rapid pace of technological advancement can create a mismatch between existing infrastructure and emerging solutions. Upgrading such systems is not a simple task; it requires careful planning to ensure continuity of operations and significant investment. In addition, ANSPs often face resistance to change from key stakeholders including air traffic controllers. Collaboration with regulators to align policy frameworks with technological advancements is an ongoing effort that must balance safety, innovation, and practicality.
Resource constraints also influence the pace and scope of innovation. The costs associated with research, development, and implementation of new technologies are substantial, and ANSPs often operate within tight budgets. Addressing these financial limitations is critical to unlocking the potential for transformative innovation. Meanwhile, emerging trends such as the integration of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) and the need for robust cybersecurity solutions add further complexity to an already demanding landscape.
Recommendations for driving innovation
ANSPs can overcome these challenges by adopting a balanced approach that combines organisational agility, technological evolution, and ecosystem-building. Success lies in fostering an environment where creativity thrives without compromising the foundational principles of safety and reliability.
1. Building a collaborative and open culture
Creating a culture that encourages innovation begins with leadership. ANSP leaders must set the tone by championing new initiatives, allocating resources and creating safe space for experimentation, and celebrating progress. It is not about discarding hierarchical structures but fostering collaboration within and across organisational units. Leadership should actively promote the exchange of information and ideas, breaking down silos while maintaining clarity of roles and responsibilities. Structured mechanisms such as innovation platforms, hackathons, and cross-departmental brainstorming sessions can help surface diverse perspectives and solutions. For instance, Saudi Air Navigation Services (SANS) hosts its annual event, "Fikrahthon," which serves as a platform for employees to focus on generating innovative ideas and tackling key challenges faced by the organization. This initiative not only fosters creativity and collaboration among staff but also engages local talent in addressing critical issues in air navigation services. The event culminates in awards for the winning team, with exceptional ideas sometimes leading to the implementation of proposed solutions and, in some instances, employment contracts for participants who demonstrate outstanding potential.
A transparent process for evaluating and implementing promising ideas is equally critical. Employees must see how their contributions translate into meaningful change, to create a sense of ownership and motivation. By embedding innovation into the organisational DNA, ANSPs can position themselves as adaptive and resilient entities capable of meeting evolving industry demands.
2. Embracing incremental technological transformation
ANSPs are increasingly exploring modular and interoperable systems that allow for incremental upgrades. These systems minimise operational disruption while providing the flexibility to adopt new emerging technologies. This strategy balances long-term modernisation with targeted improvements, ensuring continuity in critical operations.
Examples of incremental innovation in air traffic management include voice-based safety nets, which use automatic speech recognition (ASR) to monitor controller-pilot communications and enhance safety, as demonstrated by EUROCONTROL's ground-based safety systems and DLR's AI-based speech technology. DSNA’s SCRIBE project applies ASR to reduce transcription workloads for safety analysts by 70%, while Automated Pseudo-Pilot systems improve controller training efficiency by simulating pilot responses. These initiatives showcase how targeted applications of AI and incremental innovations address specific challenges, enhance operational efficiency, and drive technological transformation without compromising safety.
Supporting this transition requires investment in employee training and equipping staff with skills in areas like data analytics, automation, and artificial intelligence. A well-prepared workforce ensures that new technologies are leveraged effectively, aligning operational needs with innovation goals.
EUROCONTROL’s Experimental Centre in Brétigny exemplifies the importance of fostering innovation. This cutting-edge research and simulation facility brings together experts to test and refine technologies, from air traffic flow management tools to UAS integration concepts. By creating dedicated spaces for innovation, ANSPs can cultivate collaboration and accelerate the adoption of transformative solutions. One notable success is the development of a unique validation platform that seamlessly integrates air traffic control (ATC) and air traffic flow and capacity management (ATFCM) simulations. This platform enables comprehensive assessments of new concepts across both domains, facilitating the validation of innovative solutions that enhance efficiency and safety in air traffic management.
3. Building an innovation ecosystem
Collaboration is key to accelerating innovation. ANSPs can benefit from partnerships with startups, academia, and other industry stakeholders. Startups bring fresh perspectives and agility, while academic institutions provide cutting-edge research and a pipeline of skilled talent. These collaborations can be formalised through innovation hubs, which serve as incubators for prototyping and testing new ideas.
Joint funding models further enhance the viability of innovation projects. Governments, international organisations, and private sector partners can share the financial and operational risks of developing new solutions. For instance, initiatives like Functional Airspace Blocks (FABs) pool resources to address transnational challenges, promoting standardisation and efficiency. Programs such as SESAR exemplify how collaborative platforms can drive innovation across the industry by aligning stakeholders and investment around common goals such as Digital European Sky and increased sustainability.
A path to transformation
Innovation in air traffic management is not solely about adopting the latest technologies. It is about reimagining processes, fostering collaboration, and creating a culture that embraces continuous improvement.
At Egis, we are committed to helping ANSPs embed innovation into their core strategy. Bringing our in-depth ATM knowledge and collaborating with partners who bring best practice from other sectors, we design business models for achieving success in innovation and R&D. These cover innovation strategies and organizational structures to align R&D initiatives with strategic goals and ensure that innovation becomes an integral part of the long-term vision. Fostering a culture of creativity and strategic alignment can enable ANSPs to respond effectively to the evolving demands of the aviation industry.
On the technology front, Egis is playing its part in helping to advance modern solutions for ANSPs, driving operational efficiency, sustainability, and technological integration by tackling procurement and system definition and the implementation of modern ATM/CNS systems. For example, we are supporting an ANSP in Asia to procure their next-generation ATM system, with an emphasis on modern technologies such as service-oriented architectures (SOA), microservices and containerisation. This also includes helping the ANSP in the procurement of a Security Operations Center (SOC) type facility to implement robust cybersecurity measures, ensuring the resilience and security of critical aviation infrastructure.
In conclusion, the barriers to innovation are real, but so are the benefits. ANSPs are well-positioned to drive aviation’s transformation by balancing safety and reliability with innovation. By embedding innovative thinking into their strategies, adopting modern technologies, and fostering collaboration, they can address challenges and deliver tangible advancements.
Vijay BhaskarAssociate Director, Aviation
