Role and remit
Tim Arel holds two complementary leadership positions that make him one of the most influential figures in global ATM:
- COO, FAA Air Traffic Organization — responsible for the world's largest and busiest air navigation service, managing approximately 50,000 flights daily across nearly 30 million square miles of US and oceanic airspace, with a workforce of more than 14,000 air traffic controllers and 5,000 technical staff
- Chair, CANSO Board of Directors — the elected chair of the board of CANSO, the global industry association representing ANSPs responsible for approximately 90% of world air traffic; in this role, Arel sets the strategic agenda for the global ATM industry association
With more than 40 years of experience in aerospace operations and safety, Arel has led the FAA ATO through a period of significant operational pressure — post-pandemic traffic recovery, controller workforce challenges, and increased demand for NAS modernisation. His CANSO chairmanship adds an international coordination dimension, particularly on data sharing, interoperability standards, and the global ATM performance framework.
ASW 2026 sessions
About the FAA Air Traffic Organization
The FAA Air Traffic Organization is the operational arm of the US Federal Aviation Administration responsible for providing air traffic control services across the US National Airspace System. It is the world's largest single ANSP by traffic volume, handling approximately 45,000 flights per day in the en-route phase alone. The FAA ATO operates 22 Air Route Traffic Control Centers, 520 Terminal Radar Approach Control facilities and airport towers, and the ATCSCC (Air Traffic Control System Command Center) for national flow management.