Communications, navigation and surveillance systems are essential to the safe and efficient operation of international aviation. They enable aircraft and air traffic services to communicate, determine position and navigate accurately, and support the surveillance capabilities needed to manage traffic safely and efficiently.
From 12 to 15 October 2026, the global aviation community will come together in Kotor, Montenegro, for the ICAO Air Navigation World 2026 – Communications, Navigation, Surveillance and Spectrum Symposium (CNSS). Hosted by the International Federation of Air Traffic Safety Electronics Associations (IFATSEA) under the theme “Global CNS Week: Advancing Technology for Safer, Smarter Air Navigation,” the Symposium will provide a global forum for sharing knowledge on the latest developments in communications, navigation, surveillance and spectrum and addressing challenges facing aviation today.
The four-day programme will explore how CNS technologies are reshaping air navigation services in an increasingly complex airspace environment, while also considering the importance of the radio-frequency spectrum on which many of these services depend.
Connecting and modernizing air navigation
The programme (shared below) begins with the evolution of aviation communications, including space-based VHF, advanced satellite communications and the transition toward new terrestrial communications infrastructure. Discussions will consider the opportunities and implementation challenges associated with these technologies and their role in meeting evolving operational requirements.
Sessions will also examine the transition toward modern IP-based network architectures, including new ICAO SARPs and guidance material designed to support global interoperability and cyber resilience. Another discussion will focus on collaboration between ICAO and Standards Making Organizations (SMOs), including efforts to better coordinate the development and implementation of aviation standards.
Strengthening navigation resilience
Navigation resilience will be another major area of discussion. The programme includes a session on Global Navigation Satellite System radio-frequency interference (GNSS RFI), examining how the situation has evolved, lessons learned, remaining gaps and practical steps to improve aviation resilience. Participants will also hear about spectrum protection within the International Telecommunication Union framework, the emerging Resilient Operational Network (RON) concept, and developments in Satellite-Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS) in the Africa Region.
The Symposium will turn to the evolution of surveillance systems and the technical frameworks supporting future air traffic management. Sessions will consider how ground-based surveillance and airborne collision avoidance capabilities work together to support safe, efficient and resilient operations, as well as developments in technologies including ADS-B, ACAS, Detect and Avoid capabilities and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems.
The programme will also give Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel (ATSEP) an opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities affecting their profession, including training for emerging technologies, maintaining technical competence, workforce needs and attracting the next generation of technical experts. There will also be a look at the people behind these systems, including a dedicated discussion on advancing and empowering women in CNS and sharing the experiences of women ATSEP professionals from across ICAO Regions.
Protecting the spectrum aviation relies on
The final day will focus closely on radio-frequency spectrum. Discussions will examine growing pressure on aviation safety spectrum, the balance between innovation and the protection of safety-critical systems, and the implications of using non-safety spectrum for safety-related functions.
A dedicated session will address radio altimeter interference, including ongoing assessments of potential interference associated with 4G and 5G systems and studies concerning future 6G systems adjacent to the radio altimeter frequency band. The event will conclude by looking ahead to how future CNS systems can be designed and implemented to respond to increasing spectrum pressures while supporting resilient and efficient operations.
Bringing the CNS community together
The Symposium will bring together ICAO Member States, regulators, civil aviation authorities, air navigation service providers, CNS and ATM specialists, radio spectrum regulators, military representatives, airport authorities, ATSEP professionals, IFATSEA members and partners, and relevant international organizations. Through collaboration and the exchange of practical lessons, the event aims to strengthen collective readiness in support of safe, smart, resilient, efficient and uninterrupted air navigation services worldwide.
A simultaneous exhibition will also take place at the Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort, giving organizations the opportunity to present products, services, technologies and expertise to the CNS, ATM and spectrum community. Registration is open for this event. The programme is shared below.
This browser does not support PDFs. Please download the programme to view it here.
