Worldwide Aviation Leaders Unite for progress
Article published by: Nav Canada (Author: JF Lepage, IFATCA Deputy President, Team Supervisor, Montreal ACC)
We are pleased to launch a four-part Regional News series from Jean-François (JF) Lepage, Team Supervisor at Montréal ACC and current Deputy President of International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (IFATCA). A former commercial pilot who became a controller at age 20, JF has spent nearly two decades combining operational expertise with leadership in global aviation.
After licensing in the North Specialty — a one-million-square-nautical-mile sector spanning Québec, Hudson Bay, Nunavut and the North Atlantic — JF advanced into training, automation projects, and policy work. Since 2015, he has represented IFATCA at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), contributing to global standards on training, licensing and professional development, endorsed by CATCA and supported by NAV CANADA.
This series reflects outcomes from the 64th IFATCA Annual Conference in Abu Dhabi, where international leaders addressed staffing, sustainability, training innovation and collaboration across regions. Through JF’s perspective, we’ll explore how Canadian voices are helping shape the future of air traffic control under a shared vision: One Sky, One Voice.
From April 28 to May 2, more than 680 delegates from 105 countries gathered in Abu Dhabi for the 64th International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA) Annual Conference. Hosted by the Emirates Aviation Association (EAA), the event celebrated innovation, collaboration, and the shared goal of a safer, more connected aviation world.
A key milestone of the week was the signing of a Declaration of Cooperation between IFATCA and the Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO), of which NAV CANADA is a member. The agreement recognizes the vital role of air traffic controllers and the urgent need for global collaboration to address staffing, training, and retention challenges.
The conference also featured expert panel discussions on “Transforming Airspace for Sustainable Aviation” and “Innovation in ATC Training and Recruitment.” Industry leaders and aviation authorities shared strategies to balance safety, sustainability, and modernization in a rapidly evolving global airspace.
Simon Hocquard, CANSO Director General, and Helena Sjöström, IFATCA President & CEO.
David Perks, IFATCA Liaison Officer to the ICAO ANC; Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and CEO at Abu Dhabi Airports; Simon Hocquard, CANSO Director General; Kamil Al Awadhi, IATA Regional Vice President, Africa and the Middle East; Mohamed Al Farea, Regional Director of ICAO for the Middle East; Ahmed Al Jallaf, Assistant Director General, United Arab Emirates (UAE) General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA); and Cheryl Chen, IFATCA Executive Vice President Asia-Pacific.
Tom McRobert, IFATCA Executive Vice President Finance; Anne Kathrine Jensen, CEO Entry Point North; Trish Gilbert, past IFATCA Executive Vice President Americas; Reda El-Madbouly, Executive Manager, United ATS; Hesham Al-Tenaiji, Senior Manager – Air Navigation Services Training, General Civil Aviation Authority (UAE); Dennis Chavez, Head of Training, GANS (UAE), and Andrew LeBovidge, IFATCA newly elected Executive Vice President Americas.
Read more about the panels here:
IFATCA General Assembly Panel 2 – Innovation in ATC Training and Procurement | Global Airspace Radar
View the article online following this link.
