The International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA) has been the global voice for air traffic controllers for more than 60 years. Global Airspace Radar had the opportunity to interview Jean-Francois Lepage, Deputy President, and Benjamin Fichtner, the new Executive Vice President Europe.
Jean-François, after this week’s IFATCA Annual Conference in Bucharest, Romania, how would you describe the state of the Federation?
Jean-François Lepage: The state of the Federation is really good. Over the last few years, one of our main goals has been to become more efficient and to achieve more without necessarily asking for more resources. Looking at the discussions and outcomes this week, I think we’ve clearly moved in that direction.
What also makes me proud is the atmosphere we’ve created. Conferences used to feel more protocol-driven, with a certain distance between delegates and the Executive Board. Now, people engage much more openly. They come and talk to us, challenge ideas, contribute to discussions. There is still professionalism and structure, but also a sense that everyone is part of the same conversation.
If you had a ‘magic wand’ and could change one thing for IFATCA, what would it be?
Jean-François Lepage: Honestly, the answer is simple: time.
Most of us on the Executive Board are still active controllers. We are volunteers and a lot of the Federation’s work happens during evenings, weekends or even personal vacation time. There are always more things we want to achieve, more initiatives we could support and more representation we could provide internationally.
Money can be a limitation, of course, but usually we can work around financial constraints. Time is much harder to create.
And this challenge exists throughout the Federation. Controllers everywhere are working in short-staffed environments, which makes it difficult for people to attend meetings, participate in working groups or represent the profession internationally.
What do people often misunderstand about IFATCA?
Jean-François Lepage: Many members see the annual conference and the policies we publish, but they don’t always see everything happening between conferences.
A huge amount of work takes place behind the scenes. Our representatives participate in discussions with international organisations like ICAO, Eurocontrol and EASA. We raise concerns coming directly from controllers — whether it’s GNSS interference, ambient workplace recording or operational safety issues — and make sure those concerns are heard internationally.
So IFATCA is not only about writing papers. It’s about continuously contributing to the global conversation on air traffic control.
What keeps you awake at night?
Jean-François Lepage: The professionalism of our membership.
People care deeply about this profession and they expect us to deliver. That creates pressure, but also motivation. When you see that level of engagement and commitment, it naturally pushes you to do more and to keep raising the standard.
Benjamin, you were elected in Bologna as the new European EVP. What motivated you to become a candidate?
Benjamin Fichtner: It’s a good question, because before this I had already spent almost ten years representing staff in Switzerland. Through that work, I interacted with everyone from operational controllers to company management and political institutions.
After the latest collective labour agreement was signed, I stepped down from my role in Switzerland. At first, I didn’t specifically plan to continue internationally or join IFATCA leadership. I took a step back for about a year, although I still helped in various ways.
Then, during the conference in Abu Dhabi last year, I attended in a very different mindset. I was no longer there only to think about what Switzerland needed. I suddenly had a much broader perspective of the Federation and of Europe as a whole.
And what really struck me was how diverse our profession still is. We all do fundamentally the same job, but every country, every centre, every culture approaches it differently. I found that incredibly interesting.
One of your themes is “Get to Know Your Neighbours”. Why is that important?
Benjamin Fichtner: Because we still work too much in silos.
Even within countries, controllers sometimes barely know how neighbouring units operate. Internationally, it’s even more disconnected unless there are FAB initiatives or occasional visits.
What I would really like is more interaction at the operational level — not only between association boards, but between controllers themselves.
And that doesn’t always mean physical visits. In the perfect world, yes, but realistically a lot can already happen online. Social media, interactive sessions, Q&As — simple ways for controllers from different countries to exchange experiences directly.
Controllers are interested in seeing how others actually work. They want to see the operational reality, not just speeches or podium photos.
You’ve spent six months preparing for the role. What surprised you the most?
Honestly, the complexity of the European system. I thought I already understood it reasonably well because I had attended conferences for years, both on the association and union sides. But once you really enter the system, you realise how complicated it becomes: who is responsible for what, who creates policy, who has influence, who thinks they have influence.
Understanding that complexity is one challenge. Explaining it clearly to member associations is another.
At the same time, I was positively surprised by how approachable the institutions are. Whether at the European Commission or Eurocontrol, they genuinely want to engage with us and hear our perspective. That was encouraging.
What are your main priorities now?
Benjamin Fichtner: First, creating a stronger and more structured European support team.
Second, improving connections between controllers across Europe.
And third, making sure we remain engaged and influential on the major regulatory and technological changes that will shape the future of the profession.
