Air Traffic Controllers across 20 airports and airstrips annually guide over 13, 000 flights on international routes and 80, 000 flights on local routes, the President of the National Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA), Comrade Abayomi has disclosed.
He spoke in a message to mark the 2024 IFATCA World Air Traffic Controllers Day celebrated every 20th of October.
Daily Trust reports that Air Traffic Controllers are staff members of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) operating in the control tower of an airport and directing the smooth take-off and landing of aircraft.
Speaking on the annual commemoration, Agoro highlighted the successes and achievements of the controllers, saying in spite of challenges, they have every cause to celebrate.
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He stated that the day being commemorated “significantly reminds us of the landmark event of the birth of a World body for Air Traffic Controllers’ Association in 1961.”
He said, “In its over sixty years of existence IFATCA, globally has given both name and voice; igniting a sense of professional dignity and pride in every Air Traffic Controllers across the globe in over 130 countries.
“The celebration of 2024 IFATCA World Air Traffic Controllers Day is with mixed feelings because we had recently in short space of time lost some of our members – out of service and still in service – to the cold hands of death. May their souls rest in peace.
“Nevertheless, we have every cause to celebrate our modest achievements over the years as professionals saddled with the responsibilities of working round the clock to make air travel the safest possible mode of transport.
“We can thump our chest with professional pride and confidence to have delivered admiringly on this mandate.
“It is worthy of note that from its humble beginning, Air Traffic Control has evolved and developed into a highly sophisticated and technology-driven occupation that has consistently made our airspace safe.
“Available statistics in Nigeria reveal that Air Traffic Controllers across 20 airports and airstrips annually guides over 13, 000 flights on international routes and 80, 000 flights on local routes – this is a compelling figure and a testament to the professional competence and resilience of Air Traffic Controllers.”
He stated that this year’s anniversary “is yet another perfect moment to appreciate ourselves, individually and collectively as a body of professionals who are always watching with keen eyes, the flow of aircraft on the radar scope and always being with air travelers on their flights and throughout the journey from departure right through the journey in the air to the point of arrival.”
The association applauded the efforts of Federal Government of Nigeria through the activities of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo SAN.
“We also commend in glowing terms the administrative drive of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency that has consistently raised the bar of improvement of services in the Nigerian aviation sector.
“We also believe more could be achieved with the right funding structure for the sector.
Let us also appreciate ourselves today and always on the depth of our professionalism, focus, dedication and staying up to date with technology and procedures that have been helping us in the delivery of value to the aviation industry,” he added.
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