The Telecom-to-Aviation Playbook for Scaling Airspace Systems

Aviation’s next scaling challenge isn’t about aircraft performance or autonomy. It’s about whether the invisible systems behind the scenes can interoperate, certify, and operate reliably in a highly regulated world.Amit Ganjoo has lived this problem twice. Before founding ANRA Technologies, he worked in telecoms during the era when fragmented standards made global connectivity impossible. Scale only arrived once interoperability, shared frameworks, and regulatory alignment replaced proprietary black boxes.In this episode, Amit explains how those same lessons now apply to drones, UTM, and advanced air mobility. He walks through why complex systems fail at the seams, how certification reshapes organizations, and what it really takes to move from experimentation to operational airspace infrastructure.What You’ll LearnComplex systems tend to fail at interfaces, not core logic: Edge cases and handoffs define reliability in real-world aviation systems.Telecom standardization offers a blueprint for airspace scale: Interoperability unlocked global mobility in telecom and remains aviation’s missing ingredient.Black-box architectures create long-term risk in regulated markets: Proprietary systems increase migration costs and slow ecosystem-wide progress.Operational scale requires regulatory trust, not just technology: Iterative collaboration enables regulators and operators to move faster together.BVLOS operations represent the first true commercial unlock: Infrastructure inspection, security, and logistics drive repeatable revenue.Certification changes how companies build and operate: EASA approval forced process rigor across safety, security, and software assurance.Reducing regulatory ambiguity accelerates deployment: Shared interpretation matters as much as written rules.AI’s near-term value is decision support, not autonomy: Advisory systems help humans act faster without compromising safety.Time-Stamped Highlights(02:13) Maker Mindset and First-Principles Engineering(04:09) How Complex Systems Fail at the Seams(06:04) Telecom Standards as a Blueprint for Aviation(09:11) Interoperability Versus Black-Box Airspace Systems(13:22) Fragmentation Risk in Global UTM and U-Space(15:27) Commercial Drivers Behind Scalable UAS Operations(17:07) Why BVLOS Is the Real Unlock for Scale(18:08) Certification as a Strategic Commitment(21:10) Regulatory Iteration Over Prescriptive Rulemaking(24:00) Reducing Ambiguity Through Real-World Operations(27:00) Trust-Building With Regulators and Standards Bodies(30:06) AI as Decision Support in Safety-Critical Systems(33:40) Human Accountability in Automated Aviation Systems(37:17) From Experimentation to Operational Airspace(39:10) Infrastructure as the Foundation for Advanced Air MobilityGuestAmit Ganjoo — Founder & CEO, ANRA TechnologiesAmit is the founder and CEO of ANRA Technologies and a long-standing leader in drone traffic management, UTM, and U-Space systems. With a background spanning telecoms, defense, and aviation, he has played a central role in shaping interoperable airspace standards and regulatory frameworks globally.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amitganjoo/Company: https://www.anratechnologies.com/About the PodcastTravel Tech Podcast features long-form conversations with leaders across travel and technology. The show explores how software, data, operations, and distribution come together in real businesses, with an emphasis on tradeoffs, incentives, and lessons that transfer beyond any single company or role.HostAlex Brooker — Founder, Airside LabsAlex is an engineer, technology leader, and founder with deep expertise in mission-critical systems and AI oversight. He leads Airside Labs, an AI business that applies aviation-grade testing and compliance rigor to enterprise AI systems, helping organizations build and test AI agents in regulated environments. Before founding Airside Labs, Alex built and scaled complex software in aviation and safety-critical domains, blending product innovation with disciplined engineering practices. He also invests in early-stage technology ventures and advocates for thoughtful, real-world AI deployment strategies.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-brooker-2280002/Links & References3GPP Telecom Standards Organization: https://www.3gpp.orgAirports Council International, Airspace Modernization: https://aci.aeroICAO Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS): https://www.icao.int/safety/UAFAA UTM Concept of Operations (ConOps): https://www.faa.gov/uas/research_development/traffic_management🔍 Explore 6,500+ Aviation AI Use Cases. We've catalogued over 6,500 real AI applications across airlines, airports, ATM, MRO, and more into an interactive browser. Filter by sector and see where AI is actually being deployed across aviation: airsidelabs.com/aviation-use-casesBrought To You ByAirside Labs — Airside Labs supports aviation and travel operators with tools to test, deploy, and scale modern data and AI systems in safety-critical environments. Learn more at https://airsidelabs.com.