ETF welcomes the publication by EASA of the opinion on air traffic control officers (ATCO) licensing. It is the result of a long process to review the requirements first introduced after the initial legislation about Single European Sky (SES).

ETF has offered the Commission and EASA its contribution at every step of the process.

Whilst the modifications to the current regulation do not constitute a revolution, several changes will affect the day-to-day practice of thousands of workers around Europe. (more…)

In many European Member States, Flight Information Centres (FIC) are operated by dedicated Flight Information Service Officers (FISO). At the same time FISOs are also employed (as AFISOs) at Aerodrome Flight Information Service Units (AFIU) in several EU Countries. In some Members States these are ATCOs’ tasks delegated to FISOs. It clearly explains the safety role played by FISOs in the Civil Aviation Safety Chain. FISOs act as professionals and front line operators at the sharp end. Their work not only facilitates the safe operation of VFR flights, but also can have a safety impact on IFR flights, especially in terms of a decreased risk for airspace infringements. Specifically those operators, employed either at FICs or at AFIUs, provide the alert service and the information service, to “guarantee self-separation” between IFR (including commercial flights) and VFR traffic. (more…)

ETF, ATCEUC and CANSO, the ATM Social Partners, wrote to EASA to highlight their joint position on:

• Provisional Inability
• Language Proficiency
• Remote Towers

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