Africa & Middle East........How AFM Region Celebrates International Day of the Controller

zby Wickel Yanick Elidjé, AFM Region Communications Officer

Like other air traffic controllers throughout the world, IFATCA member associations within the Africa and the Middle East Region never miss the opportunity to celebrate the International Day of the Controller each year on the 20 October.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, most of the member associations from IFATCA’s Africa and Middle East Region had quite somber activities in 2020. But from Lebanon to South Africa, through Senegal, Ethiopia, and Madagascar, ATCOs happily joined the sweet melody of the theme for 2020: “Professional Essential.”

APCATO (the Association Professionnelle des Contrôleurs Aériens du Togo), the Togolese member association, started their celebration a few days before by web socializing with each other. Their activities included an opportunity to win dedicated face masks, T-shirts, and a watch by providing the right answers to a group of questions. They also organised an excursion to various high schools to describe aviation jobs, including being an air traffic controller.

APCAN (Association Professionnelle des Contrôleurs Aériens du Niger), the member association of Niger, held a conference gathering around ATCOs, the CAA, the ANSP, the Ministry of Aviation, and the training school.

Tanzanians recognized the day by offering sewing machines to inmates.

Their Kenyan neighbours organised a team-building activity, including an outing to practise football or soccer. y

Photos: Wickel Yanick Elidjé

z Photo: Ugandan ATCO ready for a sport game

z Photo: ATCOs playing chess... z Photo: ATCOs from Comoros Island

z Photo: Celebrating with cakes in Ethiopia