The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) has said that the 34th Africa and Middle East Regional meeting of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (IFATCA) to be held in Abuja, next month would boost businesses in the country.
NATCA said that no fewer than 300 delegates from Africa, Middle East and other regions are expected at the three days conference, which would commence on December 6 to 8, 2023 at the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Conference Centre and Suites, Kado, Abuja.
President of NATCA, Mr. Abayomi Agoro, in a statement 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 the Executive President of IFATCA, Mr.Duncan Auld;
Executive Vice President, Africa and Middle East, Mr. Fateh Bekhti; and host of other executive board members while the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, will be the special guest of honour and would declare the conference open.
According to the statement, the Regional Vice President, West Africa and the General Manager, Air Navigation Standards, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA),Mr. Ahmad Abba, would be the Chief Host.
Agoro noted that the conference which was last held in Nigeria in November 2018 would be of immense benefit to the country.
The statement explained that the high number of delegates expected at the conference would boost hotel businesses, tourism sector, telecommunication companies, local airlines, government agencies as well as cab operators among others
It disclosed that 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.
“IFATCA is very key to the safety and security in the aviation industry 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 International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) global aviation projections.
“All the aviation agencies CEOs are our guests at the conference with other majority stakeholders in the global aviation,” the statement read.
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 that promotes safety, efficiency and regularity of the air navigation services.