Integration of unmanned traffic management into our skies was on the agenda on Day 3 of FIA Connect.

The heart of the debate centred on how the world of unmanned traffic management (UTM) could integrate with our current air traffic management. This was particularly around airports, to understand how to legitimate drone flight could be identified and successfully distinguished from rogue or threat drones.

“Like factories making cars without roads”

Geoff Moore, Senior Aviation Security Consultant at Arup said the lack of starting point was a challenge for the integration of drones into the airspace. “It would be like factories making bicycles, cars or trucks, without any roads without any traffic lights, without any petrol stations. Why would that work?” he said.

Team Tempest moving at a “pace not seen before”

Collaboration was, again, on today’s agenda with a focus on the tri-nation Team Tempest project which aimed to deliver the next generation fighter on time and on-budget. Charles Woodburn, CEO of BAE Systems said: “We’re thinking differently and moving at a pace we’ve not seen before. We’re doing that on the shoulders of those who built the capabilities technologies and international relationships that enable some of the most successful collaborations in defence.”

“We’re taking the best of our core strengths and combining that with fresh new thinking and approaches, working with the brightest minds. I’m inspired by the progress we’ve made. As we move forward. All our partners. I’m excited about what more we can achieve together.”

WizzAir already operating at 70 per cent capacity

Central European low cost carrier WizzAir believes that its investment in the most up-to-date, fuel efficient aircraft is set to give it the competitive advantage over its rivals.

Airline CEO József Váradi said the carrier was already seeing a positive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, having opened six new bases and was already operating at 70 per cent capacity. He said: “Our impact is significantly less on the environment than what the rest of the industry is going to make so that is a unique competitive advantage that we are developing now.”

“It is not only from an economic standpoint but also from an environmental standpoint.”

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