FLIDAN AGM Emphasizes Critical Role of Flight Dispatchers - By Daisy BARRO

The Flight Dispatchers Association of Nigeria (FLIDAN) recently convened its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, Nigeria, on December 5, 2024. The event, themed "Flight Dispatchers: The Ground Crew Behind Safe and Successful Flights," brought together flight dispatchers, representatives from the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, as well as agencies such as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

Participants emphasized the vital role of flight dispatchers in ensuring safe, efficient, and sustainable air transportation in Nigeria. Discussions centered on promoting the importance of flight dispatchers, sharing best practices, and addressing challenges facing the profession.

In his speech, the President of FLIDAN, Daniel Ayuba, expressed this sentiment: "To understand our significance, let us reflect on the rigorous groundwork that ensures a safe flight. From pre-flight planning assessing airworthiness—ensuring that an aircraft is fit to fly—to crew management, weight and balance checks, airport evaluations, and, of course, weather analysis, every task demands precision. Weather, for instance, is like a signpost in the sky. Despite not stepping outside to observe it, dispatchers rely on advanced systems to predict and prepare for an 18-hour journey with unerring accuracy."

Flight Dispatchers are the unseen pilots, commanding operations from the ground to ensure safety in the skies. Yet, we are overworked, undervalued, and underpaid. This cannot continue. We must foster a culture that values and protects the professionals who underpin the safety of every passenger flight", he stressed.

The following constitutes the outcomes and recommendations:

- A call for better recognition of flight dispatchers' critical role in aviation safety.

- The importance of type-rating on flight dispatch licenses to ensure safety and efficiency was highlighted.

- Continuous use of logbooks to capture shift activities and prevent non-compliance was encouraged.

- Standardized training and development programs for flight dispatchers were recommended.

- A call for increased collaboration among stakeholders to promote safety and efficiency.

- Leveraging technology to enhance flight dispatching and aviation safety.

The conference culminated in a call to action, urging airlines, airports, and regulatory bodies to recognize the critical role of flight dispatchers and provide them with the necessary resources and support for the optimal execution of their duties. It was agreed that a comprehensive 5-year roadmap and plan of action for this work force will be drafted and submitted for review by the end of June 2025.

The event underscored the significance of flight dispatchers in Nigeria's aviation sector. The conference's outcomes and recommendations, if implemented, are expected to contribute to improved safety, efficiency, and collaboration among key players, ultimately supporting the growth and development of Nigeria's aviation sector.