Passenger demand continues to rise, infrastructure is aging, and the National Airspace System is being asked to operate with greater reliability and resilience than ever before. In this episode of The Aviation Report, host Alain Tremblay is joined by Dawn Amore, President and CEO of Volanno, to examine what it will actually take to modernize air traffic control at a national scale.

Dawn was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Air Traffic Control Association, and brings more than two decades of experience supporting the FAA and transportation agencies across aviation, rail, and transit. Her perspective spans governance, technology, workforce realities, and the practical challenges of operating a 24/7 safety-critical system while modernizing it in real time.

In this conversation, Dawn breaks down how the U.S. air traffic control system functions today — from towers and TRACONs to en-route centers — and why equipment delays, aging facilities, and legacy technology are creating urgency for change. She explains why past modernization efforts like NextGen fell short, and how the FAA’s new “brand new air traffic control system” approach represents a fundamental shift rather than an incremental upgrade.

The discussion also explores the FAA’s decision to adopt a prime systems integrator model, what that means for existing vendors and small businesses, and how modernization will affect air traffic controllers on the front lines. Dawn shares how controllers are thinking about new tools, training, and reliability — and why successful adoption depends on reducing cognitive load, not increasing it.

Beyond the FAA, the episode looks at where airports, airlines, and small businesses fit into this transformation, from infrastructure and communications to data analytics, security, and emerging technologies. Dawn also reflects on building a woman-owned small business in the federal aviation space, offering practical insights for companies looking to enter or grow within the industry.

The episode closes with a forward look at aviation technology — including decision-support tools, data analytics, digital twins, and the careful role AI may play — and what’s at stake if modernization efforts fail to deliver.

The Aviation Report is brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world’s people.

Executive Producer: Julie Gates

Executive Producer: Trisha Murray

Producer: Chris O’Keeffe

Editor: Patrick Emile

Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin

To follow the show, visit TheAviation.Report or find us on LinkedIn.

Guest: Maurice Jenkins, Chief Innovation & Customer Experience Officer, Miami International Airport

In the premiere episode of The Aviation Report Podcast, host Jennifer Shaw sits down with one of the most influential voices in modern airport innovation: Maurice Jenkins, Chief Innovation & Customer Experience Officer at Miami International Airport (MIA).

Airports across the country are undergoing a once-in-a-generation transformation — and few embody that momentum more boldly than Miami. Maurice pulls back the curtain on how MIA is reimagining everything from biometrics and omnichannel hologram assistants, to IoT-driven infrastructure, to airport-wide geospatial architecture.

He also explains what it takes to modernize a 24/7 global hub while serving millions of travelers — and why innovation and customer experience must sit at the same table.

In This Episode, Maurice Shares:

• Why airports must “bring sexy back” to restore the magic of travel
• How MIA is preparing for a future where global aviation grows from 4 billion to nearly 10 billion passengers in under a decade 
• The vision behind the Future-Ready Program, including the new Concourse K and airport-wide modernization 
• Breakthroughs in biometrics, IoT sensors, digital twins, holograms, and predictive maintenance 
• How MIA is building a culture of innovation — complete with ISO 56000 certification, an Innovation Lab, and airport-wide collaboration 
• How customer experience data (JD Power, ASQ, sentiment analysis) shapes everything from signage to queuing
• The challenge of balancing legacy infrastructure with rapid tech advancement 
• What airports can learn from Miami’s approach to hurricane preparedness and operational resilience
• Maurice’s personal journey through decades of aviation technology — from 8-inch floppy disks to airport-wide geospatial systems

Why This Conversation Matters

Airports are no longer just transit points — they’re complex ecosystems shaping a traveler’s entire journey. Maurice makes the case that the future of aviation depends on strategy, collaboration, design, and innovation working as one.

For airport leaders, technology teams, planners, or anyone imagining the airport of 2035, this episode offers a rare inside look at how one of the world’s leading airports is designing its next decade.

Executive Producer: Julie Gates

Executive Producer Trisha Murray

Producer: Chris O'Keeffe

Editor: Patrick Emile,

Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin

Host: Jennifer Shaw

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.

With utilities, law enforcement, retail ecosystems, food and beverage programs, and entire networks of planning, governance, and security.

And yet, they don’t just move people.

They move economies.

They shape policy.

They test the limits of infrastructure, workforce, and technology.

Welcome to The Aviation Report Podcast, a new limited series exploring the complex forces shaping airport operations today—and for the next hundred years of flight.

Hosted by Trisha Murray and brought to you by TADERA, this podcast brings together the voices of leaders, innovators, and decision-makers who are designing the next era of airport performance.

In Season One, we’ll cover:

• Terminal expansion + infrastructure funding
• Cybersecurity and digital resilience
• Air traffic control modernization
• Cargo vs. passenger priorities
• Airport workforce and talent strategy
• The rise of the airport as a self-contained city
• And more

This trailer sets the tone for the season—and shares why this conversation matters now more than ever.

Subscribe today and join us for thoughtful, high-level conversations from the people engineering the future of aviation.