November 10, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA), will on December 6, host the 34th Africa and Middle East Regional meeting of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (IFATCA), in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Mr Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, will be the Special Guest of Honour and will declare the conference open.
NATCA says no fewer than 300 delegates from Africa, the Middle East and other regions are expected at the three-day conference, which would commence on December 6 to 8, 2023, at the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Conference Centre and Suites, Kado, Abuja.
Mr Abayomi Agoro, NATCA President, in a statement to journalists in Lagos, said that apart from the participant members associations, some IFATCA Board members, major stakeholders from the Nigerian aviation industry including the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the six aviation agencies and CEOs of Airlines, are expected at the conference with the theme: “Shaping the Future: Trends and Insights on ATC Training For Tomorrow.”
The other guests are Mr Duncan Auld; the Executive President of IFATCA, Mr Fateh Bekhti; Executive Vice President, Africa and Middle East and a host of other Executive Board members.
The statement also said Mr Ahmad Abba mni, the Regional Vice President, West Africa and the General Manager, Air Navigation Standards, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), will be the Chief Host.
Agoro told journalists that Nigeria will benefit immensely from hosting the conference, adding that the conference was last held in Nigeria in November 2018.
“This 34th meeting was bid for Algiers, Algeria, but due to unforeseen circumstances, the event could not be held and NATCA was invited for a replacement”, he said.
Agoro explained that the high number of delegates expected at the conference will boost hotel businesses, the tourism sector, telecommunication companies, local airlines, government agencies, and cab operators.
He said: “IFATCA is key to the aviation industry’s safety and security globally. It is the federation of all licence air traffic controllers worldwide and since its establishment in the 1960s, it has done a lot to harmonise and promote the profession, as well as the ethics, conduct and wellbeing of the personnel and in partnership with the ICAO global aviation Projections.
“All the aviation agencies CEOs are our guests at the conference, with other majority stakeholders in global aviation.
IFATCA is an International Federation of Air Traffic Controller’s Associations. It was established in 1961 and is the largest and most comprehensive representative body for air traffic control in the world. It promotes safety, efficiency and regularity of the air navigation services.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
