MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS’ DAY 2022

It is generally accepted that Air Traffic Control is one of the most stressful and demanding professions globally.

This group of professionals safely guide approximately 100,000 flights carrying over 4 billion passengers globally each day with three primary objectives; Safety, Efficiency, and an orderly Flow of Air Traffic.

It is therefore astonishing that despite such pressing demands in a complex environment, Air Travel is regarded as the safest mode of transportation.

It is against this backdrop that on October 20^th, 1961, Jacob Wachtel, Chairman of the Israel Air Traffic Controllers’ Association together with representatives from 12 other countries formed the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers. Hence, the Federation’s Anniversary is celebrated on October 20^th each year.

In Guyana, a team of approximately 50 air traffic rotate in shifts across several Air Traffic Control Units to safely guide more than 200 flights through Guyana’s Airspace on a daily basis. With an emergent and rapidly expanding Offshore Oil and Gas sector, Air Traffic is expected to increase significantly over the next few years.

Therefore, not only will there be a need for technological improvements and innovative procedures, but also more attractive renumeration packages to stem the attrition rate associated with our highly skilled professionals.

In this regard, the Guyana Public Service Union is proud of its history in collaborating with Air Traffic Controllers in pursuit of their interest and commits to its continued collaboration and where possible strengthening its resolve in pursuit of improved conditions of service and decent renumeration packages for Air Traffic Controllers.

Happy Controllers’ Day from your GPSU family!

October 20, 2022.