After World War II, with the staggering development of air travel, the profession of air traffic controllers emerged together with a strong regulatory need regarding technical, professional and social issues. Some controllers decided to take matters into their own hands to defend the rights of the Belgian air traffic controllers. At the end of 1958, the Belgian Guild of Air traffic controllers was established. In the years to follow other European associations were created as well and the call to unite could no longer be ignored. In October 1961 Belgium co-founded IFATCA, the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers associations, which now represents more then 130 countries worldwide.

Our profession is one of the most specialized in the world, putting an enormous responsibility on our shoulders. The mix of physical, mental and psychological skills required are unknown in any other profession. This is why all controllers, anywhere in the world, will always need their own professional organisation. Even though the Guild is not a union, for more than 55 years controllers have tried to uphold the rights of their colleagues on voluntary basis. An enormous task has been achieved over the years by previous Boards, safeguarding and improving working conditions either in professional, social, legal and technical areas.

With the imminent pension/career reforms, the predicted boom of traffic, the ever increasing pressure of SES II+ and the (over)regulating by EASA, it is in everyone’s interest to be represented by a strong, professional organisation. Our voice will only be heard if we can speak in the name of the majority of atco’s.

We realise that every unit, every generation has its specific needs. But through the differences, only united we can stand. So if you want your voice to be heard, either at management’s or on political level, join BGATC!

United we stand.

For more information about the membership fee, use the contact form.