MAY 2024

IFATCA is delighted that at its 63rd Annual Conference in Singapore Helena Sjöström was elected as the association's 14th President and CEO.

Helena has an illustrious career spanning over 35 years in various facets of air traffic control, including aerodrome, approach, and area control. Her journey commenced in Visby Tower, eventually leading to Östgöta Kontrollcentral and finally a watch supervisor position at Stockholm Air Traffic Control Centre.

Helena's commitment to ATC extends beyond her operational duties. She served her home association as President of the Swedish Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (SATCA) from 2006 to 2017. Her extensive activism in IFATCA, notably as Deputy President since 2019, underscores her dedication to advancing the profession globally.

Special thanks to the Swedish Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (SATCA) for their support of Helena, and to her ANSP LFV.

Helena replaces Duncan Auld, who served 11 years on the Executive Board and 5 years as the IFATCA President and CEO.

IFATCA Directors also elected Jean-François Lepage (JF) as Deputy President replacing Helena.

JF was appointed as Liaison Officer to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Air Navigation Commission (ANC) in 2015 and he has served the Federation in this role since then. He also represented IFATCA at ICAO on the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) Working Group, the Competency-Based Training and Assessment Task Force (CBTA-TF) and the Personnel Training and Licensing Panel (PTLP).

Following a career as a commercial pilot (CPL) in Canada, JF entered air traffic controller training at the age of 20. He obtained his licence at the Montréal Area Control Centre in 2006 in the ‘North Specialty’, which covers the province of Québec and a large portion of the Hudson Bay, Nunavut and the Atlantic Ocean. In 2013, JF became an operational team supervisor.

Special thanks to the Canadian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (CATCA) for their support of JF, and to his ANSP NAV Canada.

JF is the Federation’s 11th Deputy President.

FROM THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

Dear Member Associations,

Back home after a fantastic conference in Singapore, I want to thank all of you who were there and made the conference such a success! To those who were not able to go – We missed you and we hope to see you next time. This circular will give you a glimpse of all the events in Singapore.

I am deeply grateful for, and humbled by, your trust in me as President and Chief Executive Officer. I know expectations are high and together with the whole Executive Board, I will do my very best for IFATCA in the next years.

I envision IFATCA being the gold standard in all things Air Traffic Control. This means that when it comes to all issues to do with Air Traffic Control, the immediate and logical thought everywhere should be: “Let's go ask IFATCA. They are the world experts.” To achieve this, IFATCA needs to foster an inclusive and collaborative culture of excellence by promoting international cooperation among air traffic controllers, facilitating the exchange of best practices, and setting rigorous standards for safety, efficiency, and professionalism. IFATCA should actively engage with regulatory bodies, industry stakeholders, and academia to ensure our standards and policies are at the forefront of global aviation. I believe that by championing excellence and serving as a beacon of leadership in the air traffic management community, IFATCA can establish itself as the undisputed gold standard, safeguarding the skies for generations to come. Together, we can help create a firm basis for Air Traffic Management in the next decades.

One Sky – One Voice!

Helena Sjöström

President/CEO

THANK YOU, DUNCAN!

After 11 years on the Executive Board and 5 years as President and CEO of IFATCA, Duncan Auld stepped down from his role as IFATCA PCX at the conference in Singapore this week.

His objectives of bringing the Federation closer together, championing diversity and inclusion-ensuring that IFATCA truly is a representative body of all air traffic controllers from all across the globe, were achieved.

Duncan is happy to hand the presidency over to Helena Sjöström, confident in her leadership and trustworthiness, along with the capable hands of Jean-François and the Executive Board, ensuring IFATCA's continued success.

We want to thank Duncan for his tireless service to IFATCA, his passion for the profession, and his outstanding work over many years.

Special thanks to his home association Civil Air Australia for their support of him.

Duncan received the IFATCA Scroll of Honour, the highest award of the Federation at this conference.

We wish you well Duncan, and we hope to see you again soon.

THANK YOU, FATEH!

A Journey of Dedication and Leadership with IFATCA

After attending the IFATCA AFM regional meeting in Algeria in 2007 Fateh was captivated by the mission and community of IFATCA. His journey began with a spark of inspiration, igniting a path of volunteering and service within the largest air traffic control community.

In 2015, Fateh took on the role of IFATCA Rep for Aerodrome and Runway Safety at the ICAO MID office, marking a pivotal moment in his journey. His passion for enhancing safety and efficiency in aviation shone through as he collaborated with stakeholders to address critical issues. Elevating his involvement further, Fateh joined the Technical and Operational Committee, where he worked alongside an exceptional team to drive progress and innovation within IFATCA.

In 2017, Fateh's unwavering dedication and leadership qualities were recognized as he was elected as EVP AFM. In this role, he served the region with boundless passion, guiding and inspiring colleagues to strive for excellence in air traffic management.

One of Fateh's most impactful contributions lies in his commitment to motivating the next generation of air traffic controllers. Through mentorship and advocacy, he inspired a group of volunteers to actively support regional activities, fostering a culture of collaboration and growth.

As Fateh embarks on new endeavors, his legacy within IFATCA serves as a testament to the power of dedication, collaboration, and leadership in shaping the future of air traffic control. His journey inspires us all to reach greater heights and pave the way for a safer, more efficient aviation industry.

THE NEW EXECUTIVE BOARD

IFATCA's new Executive Board 2024. Let's meet the team!

From (L-R) EVP Americas Trish Gilbert, (NATCA USA); EVP Africa Middle East Ahmad Abba, (NATCA Nigeria); EVP Technical Benjamin van der Sanden, (VNLG Netherlands); EVP Asia Pacific Cheryl Chen, (ROCATCA Taiwan); EVP Finance Tom McRobert, (Civil Air Australia); President & CEO Helena Sjöström, (SATCA Sweden); Deputy President Jean-François Lepage, (CATCA Canada); EVP Professional Peter van Rooyen, (GATCSA South Africa); EVP Europe Frédéric Deleau, (EGATS Belgium); IFATCA Office Manager Tatiana Iavorskaia, (Montreal, Canada); Communications Coordinator Nicola Nì Rìada (IATCA Ireland)

EVP Africa & The Middle East

The IFATCA family welcomes Ahmad Abba as the new EVP AFM, elected at the annual conference in Singapore. Ahmad began his career as an air traffic controller in 1998. Since then he has obtained five ratings in aerodrome control, approach control (procedural and surveillance), area control (procedural and surveillance), and additionally as an ANS Regulator, Search and Rescue Expert, ATS Auditor, and ICAO Certified Instructor.

Ahmad is involved in the activities of his Professional Association, the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA). He was on the Executive Council of NATCA as the pioneer Vice President, Professional and Technical. He chaired the Professional, Technical, Research and Development Committee (PTRD) which produced insightful working papers at the general meetings of the association.

In the IFATCA Africa & Middle East region, he was a member of the Regional Support Group and later as the Regional Vice President of West Africa until he was elected the EVP AFM. He has represented IFATCA in various meetings in the AFM region including the AFI Week, APIRG, and ICAO/AFCAC Coordination meetings.

Ahmad holds a Bachelor's Degree in Geography, a Master of Technology Degree in Remote Sensing Applications, and a Master of Science Degree in Disaster Risk Management and Development Studies. Ahmad was nominated to the prestigious Senior Executive Course (SEC) 44 by the President of Nigeria in 2022. The SEC is the flagship course of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, a high-level centre for reflection, research, and learning in Nigeria.

Ahmad Abba is married and blessed with children.

Reelected Board Members

The Federation’s directors also elected Tom McRobert as Executive Vice President Finance (EVPF), a role he has been fulfilling for the past year following the departure of his predecessor. With a rich background in aviation, McRobert has served as an air traffic controller for Airservices Australia since June 2005, operating in area and approach units across Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, and Adelaide. Additionally, he has held the position of President of Civil Air Australia since 2016.

Peter van Rooyen from South Africa will continue his role as Executive Vice President Professional (EVPP), a position he has held since 2018.

Peter has held many positions in his home association The Guild of Air Traffic Controllers of South Africa (GATCSA) and has been an air traffic controller since 1990, first in the South African Air Force and then as a civilian air traffic controller.

Trish Gilbert, a retired air traffic controller from Houston Centre in the United States, returns to her position as Executive Vice President Americas (AMA) region.

Having served in various capacities for the NATCA USA, including a 12-year tenure as Executive Vice President, Trish brought a wealth of experience to the role she first assumed in 2021.

Frédéric Deleau resumes his position as Executive Vice President Europe, a role he has held since 2020.

Deleau's background as an air traffic controller for EUROCONTROL at Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre is complemented by his extensive involvement representing ATCEUC for over 15 years and serving as a member of the EUROCONTROL Guild of Air Traffic Services (EGATS) delegation.

THANK YOU, ATCA-S!

Our heartfelt gratitude to the organizing committee of the 63rd IFATCA Annual Conference in Singapore. It was originally planned in 2020, but the event had to be postponed due to the pandemic. Led by Mr. Lim De Wei, the head of the Organizing Committee and the President of ATCA-S, everything in the conference was running smoothly–registration, program, and the socialization.

Congratulations and thank you, ATCA-S for your unwavering support and hardwork.

STANDING COMMITTEES

During the 63^rd Annual Conference, elections were held for the four standing committees namely: TOC (Technical and Operational Committee), PLC (Professional and Legal Committee), FIC (Finance Committee), and CAC (Constitution and Administration Committee).

We congratulate the Member Associations who were elected, and we also welcome our corresponding members. For more information about the standing committees and what these committees do for the federation, click here.

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

IFATCA Liaison Officer to the ICAO Air Navigation Commission (ANC)

IFATCA seeks expression of interest from suitably qualified and interested members for the role of IFATCA Liaison Officer to the ICAO Air Navigation Commission (ANC) commencing 26 August 2024 for a term of 3 years. The role of the Liaison Officer to the ICAO ANC requires a very specialised skill set, and an immense amount of commitment.

The ANC meets for nine-week sessions in Winter, Spring and Fall (in the northern hemisphere), which adds up to a 27-week commitment per year, and a two-week ICAO Assembly once every three years. In addition to this, the 14th Air Navigation Conference (AN-Conf/14) will take place this year from 26 August to 6 September 2024. For reference, the next ICAO Assembly will take place in September 2025. Also, each year will include two meetings of the Technical and Operational Committee (TOC) and two meetings of the Professional and Legal Committee (PLC), two meetings of the Executive Board (EB) and the IFATCA Conference. Kindly note that TOC and PLC committee meetings are sometimes combined meetings.

If a Member Association (MA) is considering nominating someone for the Liaison Officer to the ICAO ANC position, it is important to determine whether the employer would allow the individual to be released from her/his roster in order to fulfil all the duties expected from the Liaison Officer to the ICAO ANC.

In many cases, the MA may be able to get a clear determination before soliciting for volunteers. While this is a challenge for all of our Representatives, being Liaison Officer to the ICAO ANC requires a significantly larger amount of time than other IFATCA positions. However, as the influence of the ICAO ANC is well known by many ANSPs, it is possible that employers who may not support time for other positions would consider supporting a nominee for this position.

It is important to note that diplomatic privileges are extended to State Representatives but are not extended to Representatives of International Organizations. These include both immigration and tax benefits.

For nominees who are not Canadian citizens, there are a number of administrative issues to be considered. In general, as the position is volunteer, there is no need to obtain a Canadian work permit. In addition, Canada does not have a separate process for a business or visitor visa. As the Liaison Officer to the ICAO ANC does not conduct business nor receive a salary in Canada, a visitor visa is adequate.

The nominating MA should ensure as much as possible that adequate funds are budgeted to support this annual travel requirement: air tickets to Montreal to attend the ANC sessions, lodging in Montreal for approximately six months per year, per diems, local transportation, etc. The cost for attendance at TOC, PLC and EB meetings as well as attendance at the Annual World Conference is covered by the Federation.

It is important to note that an emergency reserve fund to support the position of the Liaison Officer to the ICAO ANC is at IFATCA’s disposal. However, this fund is limited and is not intended to support the role in normal circumstances, and/or for an indefinite period of time. MAs wishing to submit a nomination shall endeavour to cover expenses to the extent possible.

Member Associations that have suitable candidates are invited to forward applications to office@ifatca.org no later than 30 June 2024. These applications should include: the details of the nominee, resume/curriculum vitae, and a statement of support from the MA. Click here for the terms of reference for the position. Since the Liaison Officer to the ICAO ANC is an appointed position by the Executive Board, no vote by the directors will take place.

Should you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact the IFATCA Office, or the IFATCA DP/Liaison Officer to the ICAO ANC, Mr. Jean-François Lepage.

WEBSITE UPDATES

Exciting news! IFATCA has launched a new version of its website. The overall look has been streamlined and should look better on mobile devices. Under the IFATCA.net tab, information for Member Associations and IFATCA Representatives can be found, including the new IFATCA Industry Digest (i2d), which includes a calendar and relevant updates from the ATM industry. As before, some content is password protected and requires to login. Over the next months, we will be adding features and content, so please visit often!

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.

If you haven't checked out WIKIFATCA check out this link!

The annual conference allowed the 2030+ Task Force, once again, to hold an interactive workshop with delegates. Despite the early start, participation and motivation were high and we would like to thank you again for the discussion.

Five topics were of particular interest to us, as we felt that they required more detailed feedback from those present as to the future direction of the Federation in those areas. Between the questionnaire and both the workshops, we now have sufficient information to complete the 'Blueprint for IFATCA' which will be presented in 2025.

Achieving the best for IFATCA - the new practical outcomes, objectives, and direction.
Optimising the use, implementation, and relevance of policy.
Ensuring communications reach all audiences.
Boosting individual volunteerism and the recognition of volunteering to IFATCA work.
The future is now - determining IFATCA's return on investment and defining MA involvement in the future of ATM.

We appreciate the effort that you have given us during these sessions, it has given us plenty of data with which we can present a conceptualisation of IFATCA from your perspective. You still have time to email us with any feedback or direction that you wish to be considered: 2030tf@ifatca.org

Directors from MAs around the world cast their votes during the final plenary session of the 63rd Annual Conference in Singapore.

Following the opening plenary during our annual conference, delegates divide themselves into three committees, which discuss specific topics before making recommendations to the final plenary. During the 63rd Annual Conference in Singapore in 2024, Committee A sessions were chaired by Julian Ogilvie (Switzerland, Helvetica) and co-chaired by Ramon Amora (Dominican Republic). Committee A deals with all the Federation’s constitutional and administrative topics. Committee B, dealing with all the technical and operational topics, was chaired by Alexander Schwassmann (Germany) with Olivia May (GATCO UK) as co-chair. Committee C debated professional and legal topics and was chaired by Sten Verpalen, (Netherlands) and Nyamgerel Dashdolgor (Mongolia). Professional and technical topics often overlap and for these, a shared session of committees B and C is held.

The chairs and co-chairs ensure each committee runs smoothly and promptly, even with their full agendas. Member Associations have the chance to review working papers before the conference, and delegates are generally well-briefed and ready to engage in discussion. Each committee room also has Executive Board members present to assist them with points of order, moderate the discussion, and ask for expert opinions. At the final plenary, each committee chair delivers a synopsis of the proceedings, the gist of which you will find below.

HIGH LEVEL PANEL

One of the highlights of the first day of the Annual Conference was the High-Level Panel on the same theme as the annual conference: Invest in People: The Future of ATM.

The speakers: Han Kok Juan, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, Crystal Kim, Technical officer ATM Section, ICAO, Franklin Mcintosh, Deputy Chief Operating officer (operations) FAA and Stathis Malakis (IFATCA), shared their points of view on the role of the air traffic controller in future ATM systems, the importance of investing in the human as an asset, and how they perceive training and licensing of controllers will evolve in the future. The panel was moderated by JF Lepage and Cheryl Chen.

MENTAL WELL-BEING PANEL

A highlight of the first day of the IFATCA Annual Conference was the ATCO mental well-being panel. IFATCA knows that human beings are the essence of the aviation industry and mental wellbeing is not just a personal matter – it’s a critical aspect of ensuring the safety and efficiency of our skies. The discussion from the panelists resulted in the following takeaways:

There is a need for the industry to focus on the mental health and well-being of ATCOs.
A focus on being/staying healthy and learning from previous experiences of coping well with stressors is best.
⁠An industry shift to trusting ATCOs with the help of peer support and mental health professionals with an aviation understanding is critical to creating a culture where ATCOs are comfortable reporting and seeking support when they are not in a good mental space to be performing safety-critical work.

FLY AI FORUM

The Fly AI Forum took place from April 29-30, 2024 at the Eurocontrol Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. IFATCA's EVP Tech Benjamin van der Sanden was thrilled to have this opportunity to explain IFATCA's position and the valuable work the JCHMS (Joint Cognitive Human Machine System Group) has been doing in this domain. A lot of developers and manufacturers are starting to see that a human-centered approach to the design of tools incorporating AI is essential to acceptance in the operational environment.

The JCMHS group and EVP Tech, along with other interested parties within IFATCA will continue to monitor the progress in this area of interest. The EASA AI days in Cologne are coming up in July and IFATCA will be present there as well.

Don't hesitate to contact our EVP Tech with any questions you may have regarding these matters.

For more information, click here.

SPEAK ENGLISH PROGRAMME (SEP)

Improve your English skills with IFATCA's Speak English Programme (SEP)!

Join our expanding global community of air traffic control professionals, all dedicated to mastering the universal language of our field. The SEP offers a friendly, relaxed environment that's perfect for boosting your conversational abilities and helping you think in English, which will elevate your overall language proficiency.

Seize this chance to practice English in real-world situations, build your confidence, and connect with air traffic controllers from around the world. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, the SEP is tailored to accelerate your growth and equip you to tackle both everyday and unique challenges.

Embark on this journey with us to improve your communication skills, paving the way for new career opportunities. Sign up for IFATCA's SEP today and move forward with confidence in your aviation career.

Check out the instructions in the attached PDF. For any further information, please visit our website.

ICAO Caribbean and South America (CAR/SAM) Language Proficiency Requirements Workshop (LPR) - Lima, Peru - 23-25 April 2024

IFATCA was invited to participate in the recent International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Language Proficiency Requirements (LPR) Workshop, organized at the ICAO Regional Office in Lima, Peru, on 23-25 April 2024. Deputy President Jean-Francois Lepage (CANADA) spoke on behalf of IFATCA. The event's main goal was to examine how ICAO, States, and International Organizations such as IFATCA could work together to facilitate the implementation of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) contained in ICAO Annex 1 regarding English Language Proficiency requirements. The workshop also encouraged sharing best practices and experiences from the field on implementing these provisions.

EUROPEAN CISM CONFERENCE

On 13-14 March 2024, DFS welcomed participants to the European CISM conference at its Headquarter in Langen, near Frankfurt. The European CISM network brings together professionals from a broad spectrum of various backgrounds (from aviation to firefighters, to the military domain etc.). During the two-day workshop, many interesting presentations were delivered to the audience of this hybrid conference.

BACK TO THE FUTURE

Philippe Domogala

When the 100 years ATC book was in the early stages, the authors collected a lot of short stories, and in the end, had enough material for over 600 pages, but had agreed to keep the book to 400 pages, so a few of the stories did not make it to print. Some of them are worth being published, so in the coming years, we will publish them in The Controller magazine.

Having just had an excellent 63rd annual conference in Singapore, we got to thinking about IFATCA conferences gone before and in particular the memorable ones! Cairo in 1981 certainly springs to mind as memorable. It was the first time IFATCA had a conference on the African continent. It was also a few months before the famous PATCO strike in the USA that saw a tragic outcome for all those involved. But in that spring of 1981, spirits were high as we had the International Labor Office (ILO) report on air traffic controllers working conditions improvements to celebrate.

The Americas

The strength of IFATCA is significantly enhanced when the Directors and Delegates can meet in-person. Despite geographical challenges and expenses, the Americas (AMA) region embraced the opportunity for learning, camaraderie, and solidarity with fellow MAs worldwide. While fewer than half of our MAs from the region could attend due to distance, those present actively contributed their viewpoints and perspectives.

Delegates from the Americas Region with Lim De Wei (Chairman of the Organizing Committee) during the 63rd IFATCA Annual Conference held at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, Singapore

The attending Member Associations included Bahamas, Canada, Chile, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States, with Guyana, Panama, and Uruguay ensuring their voices were heard on the global stage through proxies.

Before the conference officially commenced, AMA attendees gathered for a brief regional meeting, reconnecting with friends and acquaintances, and making new ones. Discussions ranged from conference logistics and the IFATCA code of conduct to regional communications and working papers. An update on the upcoming 2024 regional meeting in T&T, scheduled for October 15-17, was provided, while Member Associations shared insights into the air traffic systems and activities in their respective countries.

At the conclusion of the 63^rd IFATCA annual conference, my third term as EVP AMA commenced. I am honored to continue serving the AMA membership in this role for another two years.

Recently Member Associations were sent the form to submit their declarations of membership. Please return them to the IFATCA office by 31 May.

Thank you all for your continued dedication to IFATCA and the great profession of air traffic control.❤️

Trish Gilbert

IFATCA EVP Americas

Asia Pacific Region

It has been nearly a month since we gathered in Singapore for the very well-organized Annual Conference! Great meeting, good food, best companies, unforgettable memories, and life-long friendship!

Kudos to our Singaporean ATC family!

Delegates from the ASP Region during the 63rd IFATCA Annual Conference held at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, Singapore

At the conference, all of you have shown tremendous support to each other, and have made the voice of the Asia Pacific region heard by the others. We now have many MAs been elected into PLC and TOC. I am very sure it will help raise the professionalism of ATCs in our region and provide more shared knowledge and resources among us.

Workforce shortage, overwork, and fatigue remain commonly shared issues, but we also see some positive progress on these problems within some of the MAs. We will have the opportunity this year to raise these issues with high-level management, so let’s aim to set up an agenda for these topics.

The Asia Pacific Region Executive Team

(From L-R) Greg Okeroa; RVP Oceania, Umi Syahirah; Comms Coordinator ASP,

Cheryl Chen; EVP ASP, Renz Bulseco; Comms Coordinator ASP, Nainaa Dashdolgor; RVP North Asia; Lim De Wei; RVP Southeast Asia

To the directors, don’t forget there will be an online meeting on the 20th of May at 0500UTC to discuss the host of APRM 2025 and other regional events. Make sure your MA is represented by someone if you are unable to attend yourself.

Love you all, and thank you for making me feel so proud all the time!

Cheryl Chen

IFATCA EVP Asia Pacific

Europe

The IFATCA European Regional meeting (EUR) in Singapore was well attended, and we thank all the Member Associations who made the trip to Singapore to participate and be heard. To those European MAs who could not attend- you were missed, and we hope to see you at the ERM in Skopje, North Macedonia, in October.

Our regional meeting had some excellent discussions, including Staff shortage and fatigue, issues of Jamming and Spoofing, Licensing, and EASA and SESAR-related information. Technology developments will undoubtedly help ATCOs handle more traffic in the future. However, it is paramount to retain the Human dimension and decision.

Summer 2024 will be challenging for everyone involved in the European Network. Some areas of the Network are already of great concern due to the pressure put on the system – let it be because of staffing, the traffic rerouted due to the war in Ukraine, the Middle East tensions, the increase of traffic, the aging ATC system, or a combination of several factors due to lack of investment.

IFATSEA and IFATCA with EVP Europe Fred Deleau (far right).

Since the annual meeting, IFATCA EVPEUR addressed the ATCEUC 62nd General Assembly Meeting in Malta. IFATCA and ATCEUC share (nearly) the same membership in Europe and have good collaborative relationships within the PSO (Professional Staff Organisation) in various groups. It was an opportunity to present the new IFATCA Executive Board to ATCEUC and to reiterate and strengthen our cooperation and collaboration on overlapping topics.

With the same spirit of collaboration, EVPEUR delivered a strong presentation of the IFATCA current “hotspots” to the IFATSEA ERM 2024 in Larnaka, Cyprus. EVPEUR thanked the ATSEP community for the coordination experienced for the development of the European Master Plan and the continuous constructive exchanges we enjoy between the ATCO and ATSEP representatives.

The European delegates during the 63rd IFATCA Annual Conference held at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, Singapore

Another important event attended by IFATCA was AERO 2024 (Friedrichshafen). AERO 2024 is the major European General Aviation event in its 30th edition this year, with a record 680 exhibitors from 38 countries showing 270 aircraft from gliders to high-end business jets.

Attended by Philippe Domogala (IPC) stay tuned for his article in the June circular.

Together Further!

Frédéric Deleau

IFATCA EVP Europe

Africa & Middle East

The IFATCA Conference is the Annual General Meeting of the Member Associations, which directors and delegates attend to provide direction to the Executive Board and determine the rules and policies of the Federation. Singapore was host to the 63rd Annual Conference held from 15 – 19 April 2024. Directors and delegates from twenty-two (22) Member Associations from the four sub-regions of Africa and the Middle East attended the Annual Conference.

Delegates from the Africa & Middle East Region during the 63rd IFATCA Annual Conference held at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, Singapore

The Annual Conference provided an opportunity to interact with other MAs and colleagues from other regions of the Federation, as well as other industry partners, local aviation experts, and representatives of professional organizations from the aviation industry. Delegates from the AFM region took advantage of the leadership and networking opportunities, skill enhancement and learning, professional development, and career advancement the Conference provided.

On the first day of the Conference, and during the informal Regional Meeting, the AFM Board rolled out the AFM Regional Plan with targeted milestones and timelines. The plan was well received with inputs made by delegates. The regional committees including the Professional and Technical, the AFM Communications, and the Women Support Group made presentations to the delegates on their activities while encouraging MAs to volunteer to support them. Similarly, Egypt and UAE, the hosts of the 35th AFM Regional Meeting and the 64th Annual Conference briefed delegates on the state of their preparedness to host these important meetings. The session was interactive, and the feedback was encouraging.

The AFM Region also held a brief meeting at the end of plenary on the last day to review the conference proceedings, welcome me as the new EVP and bid farewell to Fateh Bekhti after seven years of meritorious service to the Federation and to the region.

I would like to thank all MAs for their trust and confidence in electing me as the EVP while extending my sincere appreciation to my sister Rosemary Kyalo for widening the democratic space and giving the region a choice.

Finally, Francis Armah-Mensah from GHATCA, Ghana is appointed by the AFM Board as the new RVP West Africa. I am optimistic that Francis will bring his experience to bear on his new role to make IFATCA responsive to the needs of MAs in the sub-region.

I look forward to seeing you again in Cairo in October this year and in Abu Dhabi in April 2025.

Ahmad Abba

IFATCA EVP Africa & Middle East

REGIONAL MEETINGS 2024

AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST (AFM)

Cairo, Egypt

October 20-22, 2024

THE AMERICAS

(AMA)

Trinidad & Tobago

October 15-17, 2024

EUROPE

(EUR)

Skopje, North Macedonia