Event

EUROCONTROL – IFATCA - SESAR JOINT UNDERTAKING Conference 2026

Navigating the Operational Impacts of Environmental Measures
When
1 October 2026 09:30 - 17:30
Register

EUROCONTROL, IFATCA and the SESAR Joint Undertaking are pleased to host a joint conference on “Navigating the Operational Impacts of Environmental Measures”, taking place on 1 October 2026 at EUROCONTROL’s Headquarters in Brussels.

As aviation accelerates its commitment to addressing climate and environmental challenges, this conference will focus on the operational implications, both in the air and on the ground. 

Bringing together operational professionals, regulators and subject-matter experts, the event will explore the practical realities where environmental ambition meets operational feasibility.

Location
EUROCONTROL HQ

Rue de la Fusée 96
1130 Brussels
Belgium

How to get here

What to expect

The conference will examine how environmental measures translate into day-to-day operations, including:

  • Human factors and workload considerations
  • Implementation constraints in real-world environments
  • Local trade-offs such as noise and air quality
  • Broader climate impacts on aviation systems

Together, participants will explore how to effectively bridge the gap between policy goals and operational practice.

Key topics

Non-CO₂ effects

  • Latest scientific developments and modelling approaches
  • Implications for policy and operational performance metrics

Operational challenges

  • Managing environmental measures without overloading pilots or ATCOs
  • Understanding network effects and capacity–fuel trade-offs

Local vs. global trade-offs

  • Balancing noise, local air quality and climate objectives
  • Addressing measurement and communication challenges
  • Aligning local acceptance with global emissions goals

Human factors

  • Workload, accountability and safety culture
  • The role of training and just culture in managing complexity safely

Climate impacts on operations

  • How climate change is affecting day-to-day air traffic management

Our goal

Together, we aim to bridge policy and practice by showcasing practical, actionable solutions that support both environmental sustainability and operational efficiency.
 

Further details on the agenda and speakers will be made available soon.

Draft Agenda

Below is an indicative agenda to give a sense of the day’s flow and topics. The final agenda, including confirmed speakers, will be published closer to the event.
TimeSession
10:00 - 10:15

Welcome & Arrival

General welcome, safety information and practical details.

10:15 - 10:30

Opening Remarks

EUROCONTROL & EASA Leadership

  • Why IDAHOBIT matters for aviation
  • Inclusion as a safety, performance and people issue
  • Setting a shared vision for a more inclusive aviation sector
10:30 - 11:15

Keynote Address

Inclusion, Safety and the Future of Aviation

A powerful keynote grounded in lived experience, exploring:

  • A real personal story from aviation
  • The cost of silence and invisibility
  • The impact of hiding on wellbeing and performance
  • The link between inclusion, trust and safety culture
  • The role of allies
  • What has changed — and what still needs to change
11:15 - 11:45Coffee Break
11:45 - 12:30

Panel Discussion

Lived Experiences Across Aviation

A diverse panel of aviation professionals (pilots, ATCOs, ground operations, maintenance), representing different roles, backgrounds, genders and LGBTQIA+ experiences.

Discussion themes:

  • What has changed in aviation
  • Where people still feel unsafe or unseen
  • What true inclusion would look like in practice
  • What hasn’t worked — and why
12:30 - 13:00

Reflection Session

Seeing Each Other Differently

Who shapes the workplace?
Can change be driven both top down and bottom up?
Who are our allies — and how do we activate them?

13:00 - 13:45Lunch
13:45 - 14:30

Network & Exchange

Interactive Breakout Sessions

Participants choose a topic for practical, open exchange:

  • Setting up and empowering ERGs and staff networks
  • Training and awareness strategies that work
  • Inclusive language in operational environments
  • Microaggressions, feedback and speaking up
  • Where psychological safety meets performance
14:30 - 15:00

Cross Sector Inspiration

Beyond Aviation: Lessons & Solutions

Case study: “I Exist Too” – Shipping Sector
Learning from another transport mode to explore transferable practices and fresh perspectives.

15:00 - 15:30Coffee Break
15:30 - 16:15

What Now?

From Dialogue to Action

An interactive session focused on what comes next after the event: 

Ideas and priorities from participants and possible next steps, including: 

  • Launch of a European LGBTQIA+ Aviation Inclusion Network
  • Regular webinars and continued dialogue
  • Strengthening reporting and speak up cultures
  • Leadership visibility and allyship
  • Shared commitments and concrete actions
  • Invitation to a 2027 continuation forum
16:15 - 16:30

Closing Remarks

Wrap up and key takeaways by senior leadership.

Register now


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