Blueprint unveiled for tomorrow’s air traffic control
Article published by: Nav Canada (Author: JF Lepage, IFATCA Deputy President, Team Supervisor, Montreal ACC)
Welcome to the second article in a four-part Regional News series from Jean-François (JF) Lepage, Team Supervisor at Montréal ACC and current Deputy President of 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.
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.
Following two days of high-level discussions, the IFATCA 2030+ Task Force presented its final “Flight Plan for the Future” — a comprehensive blueprint outlining how the Federation will evolve over the next decade. This marks the end of the planning phase and the beginning of implementation for an ambitious modernization strategy.
During the session, IFATCA President & CEO Helena Sjöström (Sweden) and Deputy President Jean-François Lepage (Canada) led an open forum with delegates, addressing questions on innovation, governance, and the Federation’s role in shaping aviation policy worldwide.
IFATCA also welcomed representatives from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), who shared updates on current initiatives, and from Japan, who presented insights following the 2024 Haneda Airport collision. The session underscored IFATCA’s global influence — connecting member associations, regulators, and industry leaders across continents.
Jean-François Lepage, IFATCA Deputy President, addresses delegates
at the Conference opening plenary session.
As the aviation landscape continues to change, the IFATCA 2030+ blueprint positions the Federation — and its members — to lead with vision, responsibility, and unity.
Stay tuned for the next article on the Regional News hub where JF talks about the heart of IFATCA: committees and the work they do.
View the article online following this link.
