May 2025
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FROM THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
Dear colleagues and dear friends,
What a pleasure it was to see you all again at the IFATCA Annual Conference a few weeks ago! And what a Conference we had! My first thoughts go to the UAE organizing committee, who truly impressed us and allowed us to experience all these wonderful moments together. The theme we chose this year, “Recruitment and Training, The Flight Plan for Our Future”, was the focus of several working papers discussed during the week and was the subject of one of the two panels on the first day. Our theme was also, of course, the focus of several discussions I had with some of you and was also the topic of conversations I’m sure you had among yourselves as well.
I would also like to highlight the declaration we signed with CANSO, which demonstrates the extent to which the issue of recruitment and training, in a context where we are all globally short of staff, is a topic that affects both ANSPs and professional associations. As Helena, our President and CEO, so aptly put it, this theme shouldn’t be the theme of a single week; it should be the theme of an entire year, meaning it must be at the heart of our reflections and actions for the coming year, and likely well beyond.
Another highlight of the week: the unparalleled enthusiasm and ownership for IFATCA demonstrated by all those present. Last year in Singapore, we broke a record for the number of MAs in attendance, and that record was broken again this year! Another sign of our members’ commitment: the interest shown in our committees. I don’t remember seeing so many applications for our four committees, and it warms my heart to see that new faces representing the full diversity of our members are at the helm of these groups of dedicated professionals who will advance our work throughout the year.
As many of you have pointed out, the discussions were rich and stimulating. So much so that our committees had to reconcile the limited time available with the abundant contributions of our members to the discussions and debates. The Executive Board has taken note of this, and next year we will endeavour to find ways that will allow as many people as possible to express themselves while still allowing the ambitious work programme to be completed in a timely manner.
I think I speak for most of us when I say that the week we spent together in Abu Dhabi was a resounding success. Our hosts certainly did an exceptional job, but it was also every one of us who, together, made this Conference the success we witnessed. From the Executive Board’s perspective, we are certainly very proud to see all the work that was accomplished and overwhelmed with joy by the contributions of everyone. After all, WE are IFATCA.
Once again, from the bottom of our hearts, and on behalf of the entire Executive Board, I wish to thank you for being apart of this meaningful Federation. It means so much to us. I look forward to the year ahead and am already looking forward to seeing you all in Bucharest next year for our next Conference!
With kind regards,
Jean-François Lepage
Deputy President
64th Annual IFATCA Conference
IFATCA64 – Abu Dhabi, 2025 Hosted by the Emirates Aviation Association (EAA)
A sincere thank you to the EAA and their dedicated organizing team for delivering a well-structured, productive, and truly enjoyable conference in Abu Dhabi. Please Read the Full Conference Summary Here
Check out more photos from Conference Here
Newest IFATCA Member Associations
A warm welcome to the new member association from Chad inducted at IFATCA2025 joining the Africa Middle East Region.
Photo shows Sincho Moise from the Chad Air Traffic Controllers’ Association accepting the membership certificate and nameplate from IFATCA Deputy President Jean-François Lepage.
A warm welcome to the new member association from Suriname inducted at IFATCA2025 joining the America’s Region.
Photo shows EVP Americas Trish Gilbert accepting the IFATCA membership certificate from IFATCA Deputy President Jean-François Lepage on behalf of Suriname.
A warm welcome to the new member association from Congo Brazzaville inducted at IFATCA2025 joining the Africa and Middle East Region.
Photo shows EVP Africa & Middle East, Ahmad Abba, accepting the membership certificate and nameplate on behalf of Congo Brazzaville from IFATCA Deputy President, Jean-François Lepage.
New Executive Board Members and Committee Chairs
Patricia Gilbert (NATCA USA) moves roles on the IFATCA executive board having been elected Executive Vice President Professional at the 64th Annual Conference in Abu Dhabi hosted by the Emirates Aviation Association.
Trish is a huge asset to IFATCA and our profession.
Andrew LeBovidge (NATCA USA) joins the IFATCA executive board having been elected Executive Vice President Americas region at the 64th Annual Conference in Abu Dhabi hosted by the Emirates Aviation Association
Welcome to the board Andrew!
Donna Field (Australia) Civil Air Australia takes on the position of the Professional and Legal Committee (PLC) chair. We look forward to working with you Donna!
2025 FIC/CAC/TOC/PLC Members
The Perfect Storm- Air Traffic Control is Drifting into a systemic crisis- focus on the shortage of ATCOs
The Oxford English Dictionary has published references going back to 1718 for «perfect storm». Wikipedia describes a perfect storm as a meteorological event aggravated by a rare combination of circumstances.
Current numbers of Air Traffic Controllers around the globe have the potential of a perfect storm from a staffing point of view.
65th Annual IFATCA Conference: Bucharest, Romania 20th-24th April 2026
We look forward to seeing all MAs in Romania for IFATCA Annual Conference 2026 in Bucharest. Dates are confirmed as 20th to 24th of April 2026, and the conference website should be up and running within the next few weeks, standby for more!
UGANDA Wins Bid for IFATCA Annual Conference 2027
The Ugandan Air Traffic Controllers’ Association will be proud hosts to the IFATCA Annual Conference 2027.
We look forward to seeing all MAs in Uganda in 2027!
IFATCA and FACAA Sign Memorandum of Understanding
The MOU with Fédération des Associations Professionnelles des Contrôleurs de la Circulation Aérienne de l’ASECNA (FACAA) aimed at establishing a cooperative relationship between FACAA and IFATCA to promote mutual interests, enhance the professional development of air traffic controllers, and improve the safety and efficiency of air traffic management in the ASECNA region (served by FACAA) and globally.
IFATCA and CANSO Sign a Declaration of Cooperation
IFATCA, represented by our President Helena Sjostrom Falk, and CANSO, represented by their Director General Simon Hocquard signed a declaration of cooperation recognising the critical role of air traffic controllers in the aviation ecosystem, and acknowledging the growing staff shortages as a complex issue requiring a multifaceted and collaborative approach.
With this in mind, we are committed to working closely together on several areas including recruitment and training, innovation and automation as well as data sharing, to find solutions to maintain the safety and integrity of the ATM systems and to address the evolving challenges of our increasingly connected world.
Mental Wellbeing Task Force Survey
The IFATCA Wellbeing Task Force invites YOU to be part of a ground breaking Global Study on Healthcare Avoidance in Air Traffic Control!
In collaboration with the University of Washington, we introduce a world-first study exploring how Air Traffic Controllers navigate health challenges—whether they seek support or rely on self-management.
This brief, five-minute survey will provide valuable insights at both national and regional levels, shaping a deeper understanding of healthcare behaviours across the industry. Survey closes May 31st.
Flying VFR in the UAE
Ever wanted to Fly VFR in the UAE? Philippe did…Read more here….
IFATCA Spotlight Podcast
The IFATCA Spotlight Podcast is made by ATCOs for ATCOs and provides insight into different challenges and solutions ATCOS face worldwide.
In this episode of IFATCA Spotlight, host Thorsten Raue interviews Sean Blair and Petro Pinnock from the Jamaica Air Traffic Controller Association (JATCA). They discuss the journey to becoming air traffic controllers in Jamaica, the history and structure of JATCA, the traffic flow and operations at Jamaican airports, and future developments in the aviation sector.
The conversation highlights the challenges faced by air traffic controllers and the importance of their role in managing air traffic, especially in a tourist-heavy region like Jamaica. This conversation delves into the intricacies of air traffic control in Jamaica, focusing on vacation planning, external coordination challenges, automation, critical incident stress management, team resource management initiatives, and the impact of weather on operations. The speakers share insights into their unique cultural context and the importance of maintaining high service standards despite challenges. Here
-=>The Controller Archive <=-
We are in the process of moving The Controller magazine’s archive to the IFATCA website. Until now, all issues were available via issuu.com, but a price increase forced us to look for an alternative. We hope to have all 230 issues available in the coming weeks.
What will you find if you browse WIKIFATCA?
- An archive of all the working papers since 1968
- Abbreviations and definitions
- The TPM (technical professional manual)
- A whole plethora of wiki categories from aerodrome operations to surveillance
Topics of interest have been classified and grouped in different categories, to facilitate the research of a specific subject, and to narrow down the amount of information relevant to a given topic.
How did you like this Circular?
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Helena Sjöström Falk
President/CEO
Home Association:
Swedish Air Traffic Controllers’ Association, SATCA
Deputy President
Home Association:
Canadian Air Traffic Controllers Association (CATCA)
Executive Vice President Finance
Home Association:
Civil Air Australia
Executive Vice President Professional
Home Association:
National Air Traffic Controllers Association, NATCA U.S.A.
Executive Vice President Technical
Home Association:
VNLV, Netherlands
Ahmad Abba
Executive Vice President Africa & Middle East
Home Association:
Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association
Andrew LeBovidge
Executive Vice President Americas
Home Association:
National Air Traffic Controllers Association, NATCA U.S.A.
Executive Vice President Asia Pacific
Home Association:
Executive Vice President Europe
Home Association:
Eurocontrol Guild of Air Traffic Services, EGATS
EX-OFFICIO BOARD MEMBERS
Tatiana Iavorskaia
Office Manager and Secretariat
David Perks
Liaison Officer ICAO ANC
Home Association: The Civil Air Operations Officers’ Association of Australia (CAOOAA)
Nicola Nì Rìada
Communications Coordinator
Home Association:
Irish Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (IATCA)
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