New Aviation Ecosystem

Roadmap
2 New Aviation Ecosystem Roadmap

Background
The flying public increasingly expects environmentally friendly, anticipated developments in automation on the ground and
digital and personalized travel options. Airlines are investing on-board aircraft, this will require a complete re-think of the
in new aircraft technologies (eVTOL, eSTOL, supersonic, aviation system.
commercial space vehicles, single/remotely piloted, new
energy powered aircraft). However, legacy infrastructure and To prepare for the future ecosystem and initiate the dialogue
regulations continue to lag behind. While operations may start on required industry actions, IATA has established a Task
slowly and in specific parts of the world for eVTOL aircraft, Force with representatives from the industry to map out key
market projections anticipate exponential growth rates from challenges and opportunities. This roadmap developed with
2025 onwards. At the same time, there is a growing demand inputs of the Task Force, will guide different industry activities
for remote inspections and surveillance of critical assets and to ensure seamless operation in the future operational
infrastructure, including at airports. Future airport concepts environment. There are efforts focusing on alternative fuels
include autonomous ground vehicles and ground equipment. and associated infrastructure, so while this is referenced here,
Changing consumer and purchasing behaviours are prompting the focus of this roadmap is transformation in on board aircraft
the need for faster parcels deliveries. Combined with the automation and how that will change the aviation system.

Future Aircraft Technologies

In the next 20 years, there will be an increased use of much faster. The duration of the operations in upper airspace
automation, robotics, uncrewed aircraft (UA), and artificial will also differ from a couple of hours to months. We will
intelligence (AI) in aviation. New entrants including all sizes also see in the next decade an increased use of alternative
of UA, high altitude balloons, supersonic and hypersonic fuels, from SAF to hydrogen powered aircraft. The future
aircraft, and advanced air mobility (AAM) are being pursued aircraft technologies will require new infrastructure and new
by companies with significant investments. At the same time, procedures. What needs to be identified is what infrastructure
future crewed aircraft designs are expected to include higher & standards will be required, when they will be needed, and
levels of automation. Automation is also likely to expand how to pay for the new infrastructure.
beyond a single flight into systems enabling optimization
of large fleets and fleet management with multitudes of The future aviation ecosystem should be designed to meet
interdependencies and constraints. the evolving demands of diverse operators in a performance-
based, cost-effective way, that is safe, secure and efficient. This
In addition, not all uncrewed aircraft will be operating at low transformation will affect not only the system’s architecture, but
levels.For example, some AAM operations are expected also how it is regulated. The future ecosystem will require fewer
to occur above 400 feet. Upper airspace operations will human tactical intervention and will allow for the free flow of
involve aircraft which have varying performance levels, from information between trusted users, which will include new types
balloons with few manoeuvring capabilities to supersonic of service providers and operators. The aviation supply chain will
and commercial space aircraft that will cross the airspace include new players that come from outside the aviation system.

Piloted Remotely piloted Alternative Uncrewed / autonomous Space / supersonic

eVTOL/eSTOL & single piloted energy / fuels aircraft aircraft
3 New Aviation Ecosystem Roadmap

Timelines
The timelines indicated in the roadmap reflect when aircraft technology is expected to operate to scale and when the related
operational and infrastructure need to be ready to support that operation. The milestones that are mapped out indicate
completion date.

Initial Operations System Maturity

Operations commence System automation

without major change and highly
to the current system – automated / autonomous
2023 additional learning 2035 operations
– –
2027 2040

2027 2040
– –
Concepts & Trials 2035 Operation at Scale 2045
Learn from trials and Operations at scale
sandboxes to identify future alongside evolution of
system requirements regulations, infrastructure,
operational procedures

Roadmap Streams
The roadmap will include 5 main streams that align with the future evolution of aircraft technologies. Safety, cyber security and
data will be enablers across the different streams.

Standards, regulations Airspace structure

& certification & airport infrastructure

Safety, cyber
Ground & airport ops
resilience, and data

Workforce Customer experience

4 New Aviation Ecosystem Roadmap

Standards, Regulations
and Certification
The current aviation cycle for developing any new standard or proposal will need to be adapted to meet the high pace of
innovation and technological advancements. At the same time, it is important to initiate discussions now about future operational
scenarios and assess compatibility with some of the existing requirements for crewed aircraft. For the new types of operations
regulations that define the roles and responsibilities in an autonomous environment, specifically for oversight and safety
assurance, with detailed system redundancy will be required. Additionally, regulations need to be developed for safety reporting
and protection, using more autonomous systems. Audit programs to assure safety and compliance of the more diverse types of
operations will need to be more agile and adaptable, to allow the accelerated entry of new operators into the aviation system.

• New / Agile auditing programs for operators

• Learn from trials and sand boxes
• Increase performance-based approach in developing standards –
2023 transformation in ICAO working mechanism
–
2027 • Industry concepts submitted to ICAO panels and Air Navigation
Commission
• Standards for eMCO and related changes/amendments to amendments
to related Annexes / PANS

• Standards for aircraft / system certification available for AAM / UA including

proposals for amendments to related Annexes / PANS taking into consideration
work under ICAO’s AAM SG, JARUS and other industry efforts
2027 • Cyber security provisions to be in place
–
• Global guidance to facilitate the management of commercial space/near space
2035 operations through controlled airspace
• Global standards around the safety performance requirements for space vehicles
and onboard equipage

• Standards for hydrogen including airport operations / aircraft

handling / fuelling
2035 • Standards for single pilot operations and related changes / amendments
– to amendments to related Annexes / PANS
2040
• Amendments to related Annexes / PANS with regards to new / alternative
energy such as Hydrogen

• Automated assurance and assurance by system

2040
– • Autonomous / semi-autonomous aircraft operations
2045 • New model for system oversight in an autonomous environment
5 New Aviation Ecosystem Roadmap

Airspace Structure
and Airport Infrastructure
With the anticipated increase in the number and diversity of operators in an airspace, there will be a shift from a human-centric
construct (where automation is only supporting decisions) to a system-centric construct (where automation will carry out routine
tasks). This requires a re-visit of some of the underlying assumptions governing how traffic is managed and infrastructure design.

• Automation supporting operation – segregation

• Automation in ATM as a supporting capability with new entrants operating
in segregated airspace which requires allocation of air corridors for AAM/
UA operators
• Review of industry concepts related to automation and autonomy in
airspace
• Global standards agreed for design/architecture of vertiports
• Regional / local development of vertiports against local
2023 regulations / requirements
–
2027 • ICAO’s vision for AAM which will drive work in different panels and
recommend standards, e.g., flight rules, airspace classes, etc.
• The development and testing of new traffic management services
tailored to AAM, including value-added and future mandated services
• Vertiports development within city infrastructure and power grid
investments & limited vertiports collocated with regional airports

• Supervised automated system in ATM with limited mixed mode operation

• Ramp-up of hydrogen infrastructure at airports for ground operations and road
2027 transport as a steppingstone for hydrogen aircraft
–
2035 • Global standards agreed for design/architecture of space ports for commercial use
• Integration of AAM tailored traffic management services, including UTM, with ATM
• The introduction of AAM tailored, value-added traffic management services
supporting interaction between early fleet and vertiport operators
• Implementation of initial regulated services

• Maturity of automation in the ATM system – full integration of new and

emerging operators
2035 • Global provisions (as required) for traffic management and vertiports
– design /  operations are available
2040 • New airport concepts / design integrating new operators
• Hydrogen storage scaled-up for aviation use, and liquefaction facilities at
select airports
• Seamless airspace, maintain separation standard irrespective of location
with enhanced surveillance and communications capabilities

2040 • Autonomous ops in airspace with minimal human intervention

–
• Integration of ATM, UTM and STM
2045
6 New Aviation Ecosystem Roadmap

Ground and Airport Operations

Future ground and airport operations are characterized with limited, almost no, human intervention to manage procedures. From
check-in kiosks to autonomous ground vehicles, the journey through an airport and onto the ramp will be managed by technology
and supported by data. This will require a shift in ensuring safety and security. Cyber security and aviation security will be critical
especially with the interface between vertiports and airports. Remote inspection of critical infrastructure, including navaids,
assets and airport facilities will be done digitally and using remote technology.

• Global standards for vertiport operations are available, including:

— Security standards for passenger and baggage screening
2023
– — Baggage handling across the whole journey
2027 (vertiport-airport-vertiport)
• Autonomous ground support vehicles are tested and use in some
airports and for specific operations

• Mutual recognition of standard ground operating procedures and security checks

• Autonomous ground support vehicles start operating and data from trials are used
2027 to optimize future airport design
– • Autonomous warehouse operations and sorting facilities supported by industry
2035 best practices
• CDM & A-CDM that encompasses all users (e.g. CDM/A-CDM for airspace
operations)

• Autonomous ground support vehicles are operating at scale requiring

2035 new ground procedures and manuals to be available
– • Automated aircraft fuelling / re-fuelling requiring new standards and
2040 operating procedures (manuals to be ready) – specifically for alternative
fuels such as hydrogen

• Full automation in terminal and air side with supporting standards and best
2040 practices available to ensure safe operations
–
• Safety and quality assurance standards and procedures are available to support a
2045 highly automated operational environment
7 New Aviation Ecosystem Roadmap

Customer Experience
The flying public want to travel greener, and safer, and move seamlessly and without delays through an airport. These
expectations will fuel technological development in the customer experience, be it to travel or for e-commerce. The future
aviation ecosystem will enable enormous amounts of information to be shared across the supply chain, thereby contributing to
smoother and safer flying. In the future, the passenger journey is no longer from an airport to another, but rather door-to-door.
Purchasing behaviours and e-commerce have drastically changed in the past three years. The need for same day delivery of
packages to one’s home has grown exponentially.

• Development of new industry cargo standards and best practices

(e.g. DGR, eWB, etc.)
• Digital identification architecture for aircraft & passengers, passengers,
including new identification concepts for Locations and Designator
codes and Flight numbers
• e-AWB to accommodate other business models
2023 • New digital identification standards and PSC Resolutions for codes
–
2027 • Business requirements and target solution for new standards, concepts,
technology structure for codes (e.g. modernization, identity management,
architecture, interoperability)
• Community engagement to ensure social acceptance, specifically as
levels of automation continue to increase in passenger transpor
• Global standards for vertiport operations are available, including security
standards

2027 • New interline services allowing airlines to extend their business offering across
– AAM and drone delivery services
2035 • Industry’s migration to an identity management solution, including aircraft coding

2035 • Integrated end-to-end customer experience supported by digital

– architecture and supporting financial applications (payment gateways)
2040

2040
– • Autonomous ground support equipment are used at scal
2045
8 New Aviation Ecosystem Roadmap

Workforce
The combination of human intelligence and of artificial intelligence, supplied by a highly automated systems, will be working
together in the future aviation ecosystem. This will require re-skilling and upskilling of existing workforce in aviation, as well as new
strategies for attraction and retention of talent that can meet the future needs.

• Assess gap between current and future skill needs and develop industry
recommendations on what will be needed to close the gaps
2023 • CBTA for skilled workforce supporting new entrants
– (pilots, mechanics, etc.)
2027
• Launch of outreach campaigns to engage new generation and interest
them in a career in aviation

• Mutual recognition of licenses for skills staff across the different disciplines

2027 • New training modes/tools are tested (digital solutions, AR/VR, etc.)
– • Global standards for training and certification for all disciplines (including eMOC and
2035 remote pilots) and for all types of aircraft (including hydrogen, AAM, etc.)
• Expansion of scholarship funds and student internships

• Cross-domain training and in-field exchange programs across the supply

2035 chain to allow mobility and growth of workforce
–
2040 • Launch of an industry-wide recruitment platform will also facilitate the
redistribution of talent regionally and globally

2040 • As operations scale up and higher levels of automation are reached the previous
– steps will need to be repeated to ensure continued attraction and retention of the
2045 skilled workforce to support the future aviation ecosystem
9 New Aviation Ecosystem Roadmap

Beyond the Roadmap

The experts taking part in the IATA New Aviation Ecosystem Task Force will participate in focus group discussions to develop
industry standards as laid out in the roadmap. The work of the Task Force will also provide an input to existing platforms and
groups, such as ICAO’s Advance Air Mobility Study Group (AAM SG) and the concerned ICAO panels and groups. Where
applicable, industry will also use the direct submission process to provide input to ICAO’s Air Navigation Commission (ANC).
Participation in the New Aviation Ecosystem Task Force is by invitation only.

Furthermore, the task force will consider in its future work the impact of the future aircraft systems on legacy airlines in the areas
of operating environment, aircraft selection and workforce resources.

For questions and inquiries about this roadmap,

please send an email to [email protected].
International Air Transport Association
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