The European Regional Meeting of IFATCA, the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’Associations, was held from 19th– 21st October in Belgrade, Serbia. The meeting was attended by 36 of the 42member associations representing most States fromall over Europe with more than 150 participants,showing the continued dedication of Air Traffic Controllers in Europe.
Stringent cutbacks in personnel, recruitment andinvestments by Air Navigation Service Providers(ANSPs) have an unfiltered impact on a number of European member associations. The investment inpeople – the air traffic controller – remains a vital issue in this highly complex and technical environment.Just culture and the protection of air traffic controllers in the execution of their profession require moreattention than ever before. Legal protection for controllers remains a top priority for IFATCA.
“We are appalled at the extreme measures takenby several European ANSPs’ against aviation safetyprofessionals throughout the region who have had the courage to speak out about safety relatedproblems associated with staffing, training, and otherserious conditions of employment,” said ZeljkoOreski, IFACTA’s Executive Vice-President for the European region.
Spain was confirmed as the host of the 53rd IFATCA Annual Conference in 2014. From May 5th to 9th, delegates from over 130 countries will gather in Gran Canaria to discuss the latest developments in Air Traffic Control and determine the Federation's policies. The organising committee have wasted no time in setting up a website, where further details on the conference will be made available as soon as possible.
The International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA) held its 52nd Annual Conference in Bali, Indonesia last week. Hosted by the local Member Association, the Indonesian Air Traffic Controllers Association (IATCA), the conference was supported by the government as well as the local airlines Garuda Indonesia and Lion Air. The Minister of Transport of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr E.E. Mangindaan opened the conference. Representatives of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations (IFALPA), the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation EUROCONTROL also attended conference.
Between 2009 and 2011, the world woke up to an issue that the aviation industry has long been aware of: air traffic control officer (ATCO) fatigue. Mainstream media reported several cases of ATCOs falling asleep on the job, with CNN stating that there were at least nine fatigue-‐related incidents between February and April of 2011.
In 1999, the air traffic controllers of Chile proudly welcomed their colleagues to Santiago for the 38th Annual Conference of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations. This conference signalled Chile’s intention to improve its ATM system to ensure the provision of safe, secure and efficient air traffic services.
The International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers Associations (IFATCA) held its 51st Annual Conference in Kathmandu, Nepal, this week. Hosted by the local Member Association, the Nepal Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), the conference was a success and the largest international conference ever held in Nepal with over 400 Air Traffic Controllers from 62 countries.
The International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA) has serious concerns that our air traffic controllers in Pakistan are able to provide the required safe and efficient air traffic service to local and international air travellers under the reported poor working