IFATCA Europe 2021 Regional Meeting

zby Philip Marien, IFATCA Communications Coordinator

From October 5th until October 7th, EGATS hosted IFATCA's European Regional Meeting. Representatives of 25 European professional air traffic controllers' associations gathered in the Crowne Plaza hotel in the centre of Maastricht (NL) to discuss the current and future challenges to the profession. The meeting was originally planned for October 2020, but like all other events, had to be postponed amongst the various lockdowns and travel restrictions.

Even this meeting was not guaranteed to go ahead – fortunately, COVID measures had largely relaxed at the time of the meeting and, while still observing some basic precautions, the event could proceed in relatively normal circumstance.

IFATCA’s Executive Vice President Frédéric Deleau (EGATS) chaired the meeting, supported by Maria Serrano (Spain). IFATCA's Deputy President, Helena Sjöström also participated in the meeting. Other attendees included IFALPA (the professional pilots association), ECA (European Cockpit Association), ATCEUC (Air Traffic Controllers European Coordination), ETF (European Transport Federation), IFAIMA (Aeronautical Information), IFATSEA (Air Traffic Safety Electronics), IFISA (Flight Information Services), Airlines for Europe (A4E) and the Network Manager. Prior to the official two-day meeting, an optional workshop discussed how to adapt to continuous changes in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world. The workshop was moderated by Marinella Leone, Ellen Beckers and Mariela Nikolova Konova from the nearby Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre.

A visit to the centre was unfortunately not possible due to the COVID measures still in place. The regional meeting itself

was opened by Maastricht UAC’s Director John Santurbano. He stressed the benefits of having a good relationship with employees, including the air traffic controllers. Other opening speakers included IFATCA’s Deputy President Helena Sjöström and meeting chairman Frédéric Deleau.

In between the closed session, during which European Member Associations addressed various issues, a number of presentations and discussions took place. Roel Huurdeman presented MUAC's traffic recovery plan and Razvan Margauan updated the meeting on the technical plans for MUAC and its partners.

On day two, speakers introduced a panel discussion later that day: rather than a narrow, specific topic, the participants were challenged to debate a number of topics that concern European ATM: z “What have we learned from this crisis and what do we plan to put in place to cover and be ready for any future crisis and/or COVID rebound?” z “What are we developing to recover faster/better/ stronger?” z “What are your views on

SES2+ recast ambitions? A dream or a monster?” z “Climate change is becoming a key issue – what is your organisation doing to anticipate changes, bring solutions?” z “Do you have a specific message to address to the

ATCO community? What do we want for the future European

ATM/ATC system? What do you expect for the ATCO community in the short/midterm/long term?” It would not do the panel justice to try and summarise the discussion. A recording is available on Vimeo:

For IFATCA, it was the first faceto-face meeting in a long time. It clearly showed that online meetings are a poor substitute and clearly miss a dimension of being able to interact directly with colleagues and friends from around the world.

EGATS, IFATCA and MUAC can look back on a successful and event that was highly appreciated by our European colleagues. y