NATCA Celebrates ICAO’s 80th Anniversary, Reiterates Commitment to Global Aviation Safety

The Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA), an affiliate of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers Association (IFATCA), has joined the global civil aviation community in celebrating 80 years of the Chicago Convention, which laid the foundation for the establishment of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

In a message signed by its President, Edino Amos Ilemona, NATCA extended heartfelt congratulations to ICAO and the wider aviation sector for this milestone achievement.

The association lauded the enduring vision of the Chicago Convention, which emphasised civil aviation’s critical role in fostering global friendship and understanding through safe and orderly air transport.

The Chicago Convention’s principles, now enshrined in ICAO’s Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs), have been pivotal in regulating and guiding global aviation activities, transforming air travel into the safest mode of transportation.

NATCA highlighted the remarkable progress over the past 80 years, noting that global air traffic has doubled every 15 years, a trend unprecedented in human history.

In its statement, NATCA paid tribute to the professionalism and dedication of air traffic controllers, describing them as “the unseen hands” whose skills and resilience have been instrumental in managing air traffic and ensuring safe airspace operations.

However, the association acknowledged the challenges ahead. With over 126,000 flights navigating the skies daily and projections indicating a doubling of this number within the next 15 years, NATCA underscored the need for proactive measures to address the complexities of growing air traffic.

The organisation commended ICAO’s Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP), which provides a strategic framework for tackling these challenges.

NATCA urged stakeholders to align their policies with ICAO’s objectives to enhance the safety, efficiency, and interoperability of air navigation systems globally.

“NATCA strongly advocates for stakeholders to align their policies and initiatives with ICAO’s strategic objectives,” the statement read.

“We will continue to engage with stakeholders to drive initiatives that ensure a safe, interoperable, and seamless airspace system capable of meeting the needs of the global flying public,” it added.

As it marked ICAO’s 80th anniversary, NATCA reaffirmed its commitment to collaboration and innovation in advancing global aviation safety and efficiency.

On behalf of Nigerian air traffic controllers, NATCA expressed optimism for a future defined by teamwork and shared vision in the aviation sector.

The milestone anniversary of ICAO serves as a reminder of the transformative impact of civil aviation over the decades and the collaborative efforts required to sustain its growth in the years ahead.