International Day of Air Traffic Controller observed at LGBIA

HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Oct 20: “ATC is an essential key to the safety of aviation. Air Traffic Controllers across the globe work every hour of every day to maintain a safe and efficient flow of air traffic,” said Sanmukh Jugani, regional executive director, AAI in his address during the celebration of International Day of Air Traffic Controller at Airports Authority of India, Air Traffic Control complex, LGBI Airport Guwahati on Thursday.
He appreciated the efforts put in by the ATCOs who perform with utmost dedication and sincerity even in the most adverse situations.
The event was inaugurated with the lamp lighting ceremony by chief guest, Sanmukh Jugani, regional executive director of North East Region, AAI Guwahati along with guest of honour, squadron leader Rahul Chamoli, operational adjutant COO, Indian Air Force; Snehashish Dutta, COO of AGIAL (Guwahati Airport); general manager (HR) Gian Batra; general manager (CNS) P. Acharya; officiating GM (Air Traffic Management) Rajiv Sarma and senior pilots of Indigo, AirAsia & Flybig Airlines. Senior officials of AAI, LGBI Airport, Guwahati and Air Traffic Controllers of Guwahati Airport and other stakeholders were also present on the occasion.
The function was organised by the ATC Guild (I), North East Region members with a symposium and a brief presentation of the day at Regional Training Centre of LGBI Airport, Guwahati.
Regional president of ATC Guild NER, Prabhakar Prabhat while presenting congratulated the attendees on the occasion of 61st International Day of the Air Traffic Controllers.
He briefed the history of ATC and said, “As IFATCA decided to celebrate the birth of ATC in 1922, the timeline of events that mark this day comprises of – ratified CINA rules, signed by 10 countries; first mid-air collision in 1922 over Normandy (France) after convincing demonstration of the need for ATC services to avoid collision between aircraft; first ATC tower commissioned at Croydon, London in 1922; Jimmy Jeff becoming the first licensed air traffic controller in 1922.”
The event was addressed by Gian Batra, general manager (HR); P. Acharya GM(CNS); Snehashish Dutta, COO of AGIAL; Dr Sanjay O’Neill Shaw, Regional Meteorological director and the airline’s pilots.
The event ended with a vote of thanks by regional secretary, Chandra Mohan Paswan.