3rd ICAO High level Safety Conference.

 

The higher airspace is the volume of airspace above altitudes where the majority of air services are provided today (i.e. above around FL550,or 17 km altitude) (EASA) 

 HAO are intended to hold both air transport and space operations, creating a need to provide management in a safe and efficient manner 

 ICAO and other international aviation authorities, such as EASA, are already developing the guidelines andconcepts for managing High Airspace Operations (HAO)

A roadmap for Higher Airspace Operations (HAO) involves global collaboration (ICAO, EASA, etc.) focusing on studies, regulatory sandboxes, and technology to manage future diverse, high-altitude flights (drones, 6G, Earth observation) safely, defining interfaces with space, and building new infrastructure/procedures for traffic management above traditional aviation levels (FL550+), requiring new safety, security, and environmental rules for this emerging ecosystem.

Key Pillars of the Roadmap

Regulatory Framework Development

Gap Analysis: Assessing existing regulations (EU Basic Acts, ICAO standards) for applicability to HAO.
New Rules: Creating rules for safety, security (cyber), and environmental impact, using sandboxes for early testing.
International Alignment: Working through ICAO to ensure global consistency, coordinating with space bodies (UNOOSA).

Operational Concepts & Technology

System-Centric Approach: Moving from human-centric to automation-heavy traffic management.
Detection & Identification: Developing tech to track and identify various aircraft in HAO.
Infrastructure: Adapting infrastructure for high-altitude traffic.

Coordination & Collaboration

Stakeholder Forums: Creating platforms (like ICAO working groups) for authorities, industry, and defense.
Information Sharing: Sharing lessons learned, especially from states with emerging HAO experience.
Phased Implementation (EASA Example):Years 1-3 (Initial): Focus on studies, testbeds (sandboxes), and data collection.
Long-Term: Design and implement comprehensive regulations based on findings, ensuring safety and innovation.

Core Focus Areas

Safety: Managing risks from new aircraft types (drones, eVTOLs) and higher altitudes.
Security: Addressing cyber threats and potential security risks in the higher airspace.
Sustainability: Considering environmental impacts.
Interface Management: Defining separation between aviation and space launch/re-entry.

 
In essence, the roadmap charts a path from understanding the new domain (HAO) to building a safe, secure, and efficient operational framework for activities above traditional aviation levels, integrating novel technologies and diverse participants