Global partnerships strengthen the IFATCA network
Article published by: Nav Canada (Author: JF Lepage, IFATCA Deputy President, Team Supervisor, Montreal ACC)
Welcome to the fourth and final 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.
The combined meetings of Committees B and C brought together 78 Member Associations and ICAO representatives, underscoring IFATCA’s strong partnership with international organizations. Topics ranged from system interoperability and environmental policy to remote tower operations and ATM system safety.
Three practical workshops closed each day — “IFATCA 101,” “Communications and Outreach,” and “Mental Well-being” — all receiving excellent feedback. The mental well-being session, in particular, struck a chord with attendees, reflecting the Federation’s growing emphasis on supporting members beyond operational challenges.
During the closing ceremony, IFATCA signed a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Fédération des Associations Professionnelles des Contrôleurs de la Circulation Aérienne de l’ASECNA (FACAA), formalizing cooperation across 16 African states. New Member Associations from Chad, Congo Brazzaville, and Suriname were also welcomed.
Signing of MOU between IFATCA and FACAA.
In his closing remarks, IFATCA Deputy President Jean-François Lepage reflected on the honor of serving in this role:
“On a personal note, this was my first Conference as IFATCA Deputy President. After 10 years of having represented the Federation and its 50,000 or so air traffic controllers from over 130 ICAO countries, it is an honour and privilege to continue to do so in this new role. I am thrilled to see the Federation in a position that will enable it to take on the challenges that are yet to come. Participation at all levels was visibly higher, and the commitment of our members is unequaled. I am also excited to see Canada being represented in several of the Federation’s positions and key roles. I would like to close by thanking CATCA and NAV CANADA for their unwavering support, without which it never would have been possible to contribute so significantly to IFATCA, thereby shaping the future of the air traffic controller profession around the globe.”
From policy to partnership, this year’s IFATCA Conference reaffirmed a global truth: one sky, one profession, one voice.
View the article online following this link.
