CHUKS OKOH,
As the world marks the air traffic controllers day, the Nigeria Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has again re-echoed challenges facing their smooth operations in the country
President of NATCA, Mr Amos Edino, while addressing the media on the world air traffic controllers’ day in Lagos, said inadequate infrastructure investment over many years, poor maintenance of the existing airport infrastructure, obsolete plants, equipment and facilities across the aviation sector were some of the challenges facing the smooth operations of their job.
Other challenges according Edino include, maintaining operational continuity and operational resilience, integrating emerging technologies adding that the world of aviation is rapidly changing with the emergence of new technology.
According to NATCA, the rapid rise in commercial flights, private jets and cargo aircraft has put huge pressure on air traffic services.
Edino, noted that in 2024, domestic Airlines alone operated about 80,000 flights with international airlines operated about 15,000 flights saying it shows that the total annual flight numbers are substantially high.
The NATCA boss, noted that Drones (UAVs), Urban air mobility (UAM) vehicles and increasingly automated navigation systems are adding new layers of complexity to already busy skies while staffing, training, and human factors, ageing technical human resources in aviation, air traffic controllers, inadequate numbers of technical staff to meet the set industry manning standard condition of service requires attention .
Edino disclosed that training, and retraining experienced air traffic controllers remain constant challenge with issues that affect performance, such as fatigue, stress and heavy workloads, which can pose serious risks in such a high-pressure environment.
On financing, Inadequate funding from the government to operate, maintain and modernize aviation infrastructure, NATCA calls for upgrade infrastructure, modernised air traffic control systems, navigation facilities to enhance operational efficiency.
Edino further called for the implementation of advanced communication systems VHF for extended coverage and introduce the data links for faster more accurate exchange of flight information while seeking for more developed efficient and cost -effective training programs and maintain high standards of safety and proficiency.
According to him, there is need to improve job satisfaction, such as competitive salaries, career development opportunities, and supportive work environments, foster a stronger safety culture to prioritise safety not just as a regulatory requirement but as a fundamental operational values, with a focus on preemptive risk managements and continuous improvement .
Edino appreciated the management of NAMA, NCAA, NCAT, NSIB, FAAN and the ministry of aviation and aerospace development led by the minister Barr. Festus Keyamo for their support in advancing Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The world Air Traffic controllers day is celebrated on the 20th October to honour the men and women who work to ensure air travel is safe and efficient, and to recognize the founding of the international federation of air traffic controllers’ association (IFATCA) on October 20th , 1961.
In Nigeria, Air traffic controllers support flight across 32 airport, airstrips and overflight within the kano Flight information region (FIR), hence the continues increase in traffic volume, more workload for ATC.
“In Nigeria, our dedicated professionals manage average of over 15 million passengers annually. The passenger figures provide a good estimate of air traffic which is the most commonly reported metric.
This includes a mix of of domestic and international travel through Nigeria Airports” The
e theme of this year’s celebration is ‘The Human Edge: Capacity Building in the Next Generation Air Traffic Management’