- May 26, 2026 | 2:30 PM - 2:55 PM
- Boeing Theatre
Data-driven ATC selection and simulation: Airways' formula for ATC training excellence
Airways New Zealand has sustained an average ATC training success rate of around 95% over the past 12 years – nearly double the industry norm – through a systematic combination of data-driven selection, world-class competency-based training, and advanced simulation technologies. In this session, we will reveal how Airways International’s proven methodology is helping ANSPs worldwide to transform their training outcomes. While air traffic controller shortages intensify globally and training failure rates commonly reach 50% in many regions, the cost of getting selection and training wrong has never been higher. Candidates invest months before discovering they won't succeed, and ANSPs lose substantial resources without filling critical positions. Airways International, the ANSP’s commercial arm has developed this world-leading approach to transform ATC training outcomes – an approach grounded in organisational psychology, 30 years of training experience and innovative use of technology. Through rigorous and proven selection tools used by ANSPs and over 50,000 candidates worldwide, highly realistic simulation environments, and globally recognised ATC training with world-class instructors – Airways International has developed a replicable model that significantly reduces training failures. This session explores the key elements of Airways' selection and training strategy, shares practical insights from implementation with ANSPs globally, and demonstrates how evidence-based approaches can deliver measurable improvements in training success rates while reducing time and cost.
