The Controller

IFATCA at NATCA’s Communicating for Safety Conference 2025

3 Min Read

Search

 Reaching New Heights: Resilience, Collaboration, and Innovation

by TRISH GILBERT

IFATCA EVP Professional

This year’s Communicating for Safety Conference (CFS) 2025 conference hosted by NATCA U.S.A. was held from September 15–17. The event brought together global aviation leaders under the powerful theme: “Reaching New Heights: Resilience, Collaboration, and Innovation.”Among the voices at the event was the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA), whose contributions underscored the vital role of frontline expertise in shaping the future of air navigation services.

IFATCA participated in two forward-looking panels focused on the future of air traffic control systems and international collaboration.

In the panel titled, IFATCA’s Executive Vice President Professional Trish Gilbert moderated a powerhouse panel: “Building the Future—Industry Perspectives on Implementing the Next ATC System.” The discussion included major players from government and industry:

  • Nick Daniels, President, NATCA
  • Frank McIntosh, COO, FAA ATO
  • David Seymour, COO, American Airlines
  • Kristie Greco Johnson, SVP, Government Affairs, NBAA

This session tackled the complex challenge of modernizing the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS) while ensuring safety, continuity, and collaboration. Topics ranged from automation and AI to critical infrastructure upgrades while maintaining their commitment to shaping modernization from both a technical and human-centered perspective.

“The challenge ahead is to modernize while preserving the safety and continuity that define U.S. aviation,” concluded the panel. “And that requires deep alignment between government, labor, industry, and international partners.”

Later in the conference, “Global Safety, Shared Skies: ATC Labor Perspectives on International Challenges,” IFATCA was represented by Nicola Ní Riada, IFATCA’s Communications and Industry Partner Coordinator. The discussion brought together ATC labor leaders from around the world, including Canada, the U.S., Ireland, and Australia, to address pressing workforce challenges, including:

  • Staffing shortages and fatigue
  • The impact of new technologies on the controller’s role

Beyond the panels, IFATCA members joined colleagues from around the globe—including Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, and the Bahamas—reinforcing the global voice for air traffic controllers.

A group photo captured the international spirit of CFS 2025, with delegates from multiple continents standing together in solidarity.

As the aviation industry faces rapid transformation—from traffic surges to new airspace entrants and emerging automation—IFATCA continues to advocate for modernization that prioritizes safety, supports the workforce, and fosters global collaboration.

CFS 2025 attracted over 1,500 attendees, and once again NATCA left a lasting mark. One of professionalism, foresight, and a commitment to ensuring that the voices of air traffic controllers are central in guiding aviation to new heights.

You Might Also Like