MISSION & HISTORY

IFALDA Mission Statement

To Coordinate the Professional Efforts and to Represent the Professional Interest of the various Aircraft Dispatcher / Flight Operations Officer Member Associations on a Global Level.

History

Founded in 1961, IFALDA is an International Organization comprised of various Aircraft Dispatcher / Flight Operations Officer Associations that have formed throughout the world. Our purpose is to create and maintain the highest and most professional level of standards and safety in civil aviation.

A non-labor professional organization, IFALDA serves over 1,900 members in 45 affiliated organizations from 25 countries.

ICAO Relationship

The duties and responsibilities of Flight Dispatchers and Flight Operations Officers are recognized by The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) through Annexes I and VI of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention). IFALDA is an ICAO recognized Non-government organization (NGO) invited by ICAO to participate in appropriate IFALDA meetings and working groups. This invitation extends to ICAO Regional meetings and working groups.

IFALDA Working Language

English is the official working language of IFALDA.

Administrative Information

While ICAO uses the terms Aircraft Dispatcher and Flight Operations Officer interchangeably. The term "Flight Dispatcher" is more common in North and Latin America while the term "Flight Operations Officer" (sometimes "Flight Handling Officer") is used mostly in Europe. For the sake of brevity, the term "Flight Dispatcher" or simply “Dispatcher” is used henceforth.

IFALDA coordinates and provides leadership and support for our affiliate member associations in their efforts to deal with issues within their own areas of responsibility. IFALDA takes responsibility for dealing with international issues that go beyond the borders of the member states, working closely with ICAO and other international agencies. This work is done through the use of task oriented working groups formed by IFALDA for specific purposes. There are also standing committees and groups that work on dispatcher training documents and references, ATC coordination, and other routine matters.

In addition to an Annual General Meeting hosted each May by a member affiliate, the IFALDA Board meets three times per year to deal with the day-to-day operation of the Federation. A newsletter, “Flight Dispatcher’s World” is published quarterly and is distributed to all Member Associations and to Friends of IFALDA. IFALDA meetings are open to all members and additionally the AGM is open to all Dispatchers worldwide regardless of membership (although only paid-up member association delegations are permitted to vote)."

The Federation’s fiscal year is from January 01-December 31. For administrative purposes IFALDA Member Associations may pay their annual dues assessment no later than the start of the Annual General Meeting or until May 31, whichever comes first. Dues paid for associations or individuals joining IFALDA between October 1 and December 31 will be applied to the following year and in the interim will be considered non-voting provisional members (observers).

Membership is conditionally effective immediately upon receipt of the completed Membership application, dues assessment, and other information noted above and is ratified by a majority vote of approval by the IFALDA committee. Membership cards for the current year will be provided on request by the IFALDA VP Administration as soon as possible after formal ratification.

Dispatchers not affiliated with an organization group, retirees, and others with a professional interest in operational control may also join IFALDA as non-voting Individual Members.