The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA) would next month 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 SAN, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development will be the Special Guest of Honour and would declare the conference open.

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

Mr. Abayomi Agoro, the President, NATCA, 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 host of other Executive Board members.

The statement also said that Mr. Ahmad Abba, mni  the Regional Vice President, West Africa and the General Manager, Air Navigation Standards, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) would be the Chief Host.

Agoro told journalists that Nigeria would 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 would boost hotel businesses, tourism sector,  telecommunication companies, local airlines, government agencies as well as cab operators among others beneficiaries of the hosting of the conference by Nigeria.

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 ICAO global aviation Projections.

“All the aviation agencies CEOs are our guests at the conference with other majority stakeholders in the 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 that promotes safety , efficiency and regularity of the air navigation services.