The air traffic controllers around the world annually celebrate their own professional day on October 20. This is International Day of Air Traffic Controller, that was created to celebrate foundation anniversary of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA) in 1961.
The idea of foundation of an international association of air traffic controllers belongs to the Israel Air Traffic Controllers’ Association headed by Mr. Jacob Wachtel. He presented this idea in 1956 and already in 1961 a world federation of air traffic controllers became visible. The first working group met in Amsterdam, the Netherlands on October 19-20 to prepare foundations for IFATCA. Other national organizations expressed the will to join the federation and quickly the representative body of 12 nations grew to a worldwide federation, that now numbers more than 135 countries.
Celebration of International Day of Air Traffic Controller reminds people about the hard work that men and women do on ground to make air traffic safe.
NATCA of Norway is one of the founding fathers of IFATCA.
