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IFATCA 40th AMERICAS MEMBERS REGIONAL MEETING | TRINIDAD 2024

The Trinidad and Tobago Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (TTATCA) will be hosting the 40th IFATCA Americas Regional Meeting between 15-17 October 2024 at the Hyatt Regency Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. This event will gather aviation professionals and stakeholders from North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. The purpose of this event

  • To fulfil IFATCA’s objectives to protect & safeguard the interests of air traffic controllers and the profession

  • To promote and uphold a high standard of knowledge and professionalism among air traffic controllers through the origination of policies and sharing of knowledge

  • To create, maintain and enhance the worldwide fellowship of air traffic controllers

This meeting allows attendees to learn, share essential information and provide for a continuous exchange of ideas and experiences. It is an opportunity for Member associations to be encouraged and to demonstrate their value by seeking to develop a collaborative and effective relationship with aviation authorities, air navigation services providers (ansps) and Industry Partners.

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This year's meeting will be done in partnership with the Trinidad & Tobao Civil Aviation Authority (TTCAA).

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ABOUT OUR PARTNER

The Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority is both the Regulator and Air Navigation Services Provider (ANSP) for the aforementioned nation. It was established by the Civil Aviation Act, 2001 (Act 11 of 2001). The principal function of the Authority is to regulate and administer a safe civil aviation system whilst ensuring that Trinidad and Tobago properly discharges its obligations under international civil aviation agreements and treaties.

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad

MEETING AGENDA 

 

Tuesday, 15 October 2024 | Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain hosted by TTATCA

  • Official Meeting Open & Welcome 

  • State of the Federation, IFATCA President and CEO Helena Sjöström Falk

  • IFATCA Regional Perspective & Welcome, IFATCA EVP AMA Trish Gilbert

  • IFATCA Technical and Operations Committee - Jaymi Steinberg, United States and Danahe Lopez, Mexico

  • IFATCA Professional and Legal Committee - Michelle Trudeau, United States

  • Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Program - Sarah Grampp, United States

  • ICAO Update - Josue Gonzalez, Mexico City Regional Office

  • Occupational Health Impact on Air Traffic Controllers: Assessing Job-Related Health Risks and Self-Care Recommendations, Breydys Tapia and Jose Henriquez, Dominican Republic


Wednesday, 16 October 2024 | Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain hosted by TTATCA

  • Member Association Reports

  • IFATCA Mental Wellbeing Task Force Update, RVP North America Andrew LeBovidge, United States


Thursday, 17 October 2024 | Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain hosted by TTATCA

  • IFATCA 2030+ Task Force - Jaymi Steinberg, United States

  • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Task Force - Rossana Croci, Uruguay and Gale Williams-Dalsou, St. Lucia

  • Regional Communications Committee - Tommy Thompson, United States

  • Disaster Preparedness Committee - Tom Flanary, United States

  • Speak English Program, RVP Central America Dario DeSouza, Panama

  • International Organizations and their Working Relationships - Mario Librán, Uruguay and Ameer Chattergoon, Trinidad and Tobago

  • What we do! L3Harris, Moranda Reill

  • Confirm 2025 Regional Meeting Location & Proposed Location 2026

  • Farewell Event

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*Each day will have a mid-morn break, a lunch and an afternoon break. *

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IFATCA AMERICAS
Regional Meeting Partner

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IFATCA CBTA Workshop Trinidad, 2023

TTATCA x IFATCA 

Since becoming a member of IFATCA, the TTATCA has successfully hosted four Americas Regional Meetings, with the most recent being held in Tobago, 2010 as well as a hosting multiple IFATCA Standing Committees. In 1991 TTATCA hosted IFATCA Annual Conference in Port-of-Spain. Two representatives of Trinidad & Tobago have served on the IFATCA executive since then:

  • Mr. Samuel Lamkin - President and Chief Executive Officer (1998-2002), Executive Vice President-Americas Region (1991-1997)

  • Mr. Alexis Brathwaite - President and Chief Executive Officer of IFATCA (2010-2014) and Deputy President (2007-2010)

ABOUT IFATCA 

The International Federation of Air Traffic Controller’s Associations (IFATCA), is an international collective of air traffic controller associations. It was established in 1961 and is the largest and most comprehensive representative body for air traffic control in the world representing over 50,000 air traffic controllers through 130 member associations.

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The objectives of the federation include promoting safety, efficiency, and regularity in international air navigation, and developing safe and orderly systems of air traffic control. Thes objectives are achieved from Annual Conferences, Regional Meetings, Standing Committee and Tasks Forces.

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The federation plays an integral role in developing and shaping international aviation policy and procedures and is affiliated with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Federation of Air Line Pilots Association (IFALPA) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).

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Membership is separated into four regions: Africa & The Middle East, Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe. Trinidad & Tobago’s air navigation services professionals are part of the Americas Region - IFATCA AMA (ifatcaamericas.com).

Nariva River, Trinidad

ABOUT TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

Trinidad and Tobago is a twin-island nation located in the southeastern end of the Caribbean archipelago, near the coast of Venezuela. A former British colony, it gained it's independence in 1962.


It is known for its diverse culture influenced by African, Indian, European and indigenous heritage. It is famous for its Carnival (the greatest show on earth), the steelpan (the national instrument of Trinidad & Tobago), Calypso (and soca) music, as well as its cultural dishes and cuisines.


The island of Trinidad was first colonised by the Spanish and then later came under British control in the 1800s. Tobago on the other hand, was colonised by the Spanish, British, Courlanders (modern-day Latvia), French, Americans and Dutch. After much fighting from European powers over the years after a treaty with the French it came back under British control in the 1800s where it would later be joined to Trinidad as one colony. A large number of African slaves were brought to the islands to work on plantations; cocoa, tobacco (mainly Tobago) and most notably sugarcar. Post slavery a large number of indentured servants (primarily from India) were brought to the islands.

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During World War II Trinidad & Tobago became the home from a number of US Military bases (Air Force and Naval) through the UK’s destroyers-for-bases deal. In 1962 the nation gained it's independence from the UK and became a Republic in 1976. Today the country is one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean, thanks largely to petroleum and natural gas processing

THE PIARCO AIRSPACE

Trinidad & Tobago through the TTCAA is responsible for the Piarco FIR (TTZP) and provides Air Navigation Services throughout the Eastern Caribbean ( from Antigua in the north to Trinidad in the south) and east of Barbados stretching across the Atlantic Ocean toward Africa. It should be noted that each country is responsible for ANS within their own airspaces which resides from the surface to its TMA which varies between 13,500 -24,500 feet over each country.

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The Piarco Flight Information shares borders with San Juan Oceanic FIR (Puerto Rico), Miquetia FIR (Venezuela), Georgetown FIR (Guyana), Paramaribo FIR (Suriname), Rochambeau FIR (French Guiana), Daka FIR (Senegal) Sal Oceanic (Cape Verde), Santa Maria FIR (Portugal), and New York Oceanic (USA). Covering the entire Eastern Caribbean Region and a range of some 750,000 square miles.

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Piarco (of which Trinidad’s International airport and the Flight information Region is named after) is an indigenous name of the first people’s of the island. It is named after the location which the airport was built on; the Piarco Savannah. The TTCAA Civil Aviation Complex is also located in this area

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