Achievements in Aviation Safety and Security highlighted on UAE Civil Aviation Day

This is the third year that the UAE celebrates the occasion with the aim of highlighting the country’s rich aviation history and legacy, current developments and innovation in the sector, as well as promoting the safety and efficiency of air transport as a mode of travel. As a central trading hub between the East and the West, and a bourgeoning global tourism and business destination, the UAE’s transport legacy has successfully been transported into the modern world.

At 4pm on 5 October in 1932 at Al Mahatta Airport in the Emirate of Sharjah, a British-owned Imperial Airways flight arrived from Gwadar, Pakistan (located in India at the time) marking the first ground aircraft landing in the UAE and the significance of the occasion. The Hanno aircraft, a four-propeller Handley Page H.P.42 biplane, had four passengers as well as its British captain, Horsey, when it made its historical landing in the UAE on its way to Bahrain.

Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, UAE Minister of Economy and chairman of GCAA, said: “The celebration of this day reflects the concerted efforts by our aviation industry in the past decades resulting in the remarkable progress and cutting-edge development we make use of today. The UAE’s main objective is to ensure the steady growth of the aviation sector while maintaining the highest standards of safety and security, as well as fostering innovation which is deeply embedded in the core of the air transport industry and is a key driving force of the sector worldwide. We will keep seeking excellence in everything we do and set an international example to be admired and followed.”

In 2015, the UAE was ranked highest in the world in compliance with international aviation safety standards after intensive audit trough the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)’s Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme. The UAE scored a success rate of 98.86%, which is the highest rate in history given by ICAO. 

Al Mansoori added: “Scoring first place in the world in aviation safety comes as a result of GCAA’s hard work locally, regionally and internationally. Efforts and initiatives by the GCAA in deploying aviation safety culture have had a fundamental impact in the improvement that we are witnessing in the country. Aviation safety has always been our top priority parallel with exceptional service quality and assurance of growth capability”.

Similarly, the UAE attaches immense importance to civil aviation security and leaves no stone unturned to ensure the safety and security of civil aviation operations. As a Contracting State of ICAO, the UAE has played a vital role in the development of civil aviation security, at regional as well as international levels, in order to safeguard civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference.

The UAE believes that the focus on research and innovation across the aviation sector worldwide not only leads to more efficient aircraft technology and safe and secure operational practices, with associated environmental benefits, but also helps build research capacity at universities and skills. As a consequence, the UAE launched the “Aeronnovation Programme” aimed at stimulating innovation in the industry in June 2015. The Aeronnovation programme also includes a biennial award scheme aimed at incentivising creativity and innovation within the industry for improvement in passenger experience, improvement in safety standards and reduction of emissions.

The country’s seven national airports continue to prosper in the global aviation industry and are growing fast, moving up in the overall rankings and overtaking the top global hubs. Passenger numbers at Dubai International (DXB) continued to rise in March with 7.2 million guests bringing Q12016 passenger traffic numbers at DXB to 20,948,690, an increase of 6.8 per cent compared to the 19,606,324 that visited the airport during the same period in 2015. In addition, Dubai World Central (DWC) is set to become the world’s largest airport with a capacity of 160 million passengers and 12 million tons of cargo per year by 2020. On the other hand, more than six million passengers were welcomed at Abu Dhabi International Airport in the first quarter of 2016.

Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, GCAA director general, said, “Home to two of the fastest growing internationally acclaimed airlines, extensive development of aviation infrastructure and the plans to develop the first-of-its-kind all-encompassing aviation hub city, places UAE in a unique position to create a connected future. We are committed to deliver the vision of our leadership to make UAE the economic, trade and tourism destination for more than two billion people by transitioning to a knowledge-based economy.”

The UAE has taken vital steps to ensure that the governance of air transport facilitates - both the operations of UAE airlines and the airlines of its bilateral partners - continues to develop alongside the growth of its air transport services. In this regard, the UAE made significant progress in 2015 undertaking the final signature of 16 Air Services Agreements (ASAs), convening 48 bilateral ASA consultations and signing 27 Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and two Records of Discussion. 

The UAE has also concluded agreements with 168 countries paving the way for its both airlines and the airlines of its bilateral partners to expand their operations. Significantly, the UAE has 131 ‘open sky’ or fully liberal agreements in place allowing the UAE to maintain its position as the second country in the world with the largest number of open skies agreements, the first country being the USA. 

Laila Ali Bin Hareb Al Muhairi, GCAA assistant director general of strategy and international affairs, said: “The UAE GCAA is driven to continue to conclude liberal agreements with countries worldwide, paving the way for its both airlines and the airlines of its bilateral partners to expand their operations, as well as to liberalise the flow of air traffic to and from partner countries and beyond.”

Laila Ali Bin Hareb Al Muhairi, GCAA assistant director general of strategy and international affairs.

To mark the occasion, and to spread awareness to about the achievements in the aviation industry, GCCA will host a number of activities for the general public including hot air balloon adventure rides, special formation flights by several aircraft types from the Jazira Aviation club, as well as various competitions, arts & crafts, and family activities on the Jazirah Aviation field in Ras Al Khaimah.

Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority; chairman, Dubai Airports, chairman and chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group said:  “The UAE is today one of the world’s leaders in aviation, and we continue to maintain our edge, because we are fortunate enough to have visionary leaders. Aviation in the UAE is recognised as a strategic economic driver, and a clear vision from our leadership has laid the groundwork for the right infrastructure, systems, and investments in innovative products and customer experiences required to build a leading global aviation hub. I am optimistic of the prospects that lay ahead of us in the upcoming years as aviation continues to be a key economic sector and driver in the UAE, leaving an enduring mark for the benefit of future generations.”

Sheikh Khalid Issam Al Qassimi chairman of Sharjah Civil Aviation said: “The fifth of October marks our pride and appreciation of the UAE’s achievements in aviation since 1932. This success is the outcome of collaborative efforts of various sectors and entities that work together to assert the UAE’s leading position in the world. This day is also a motivation for us to exert further efforts and keep up with the latest advancements to ensure our leadership.”   

Mohammed A. Ahli, director general of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority said: “The aviation industry in the United Arab Emirates and its key performers, the airlines and airports, have reached greater heights and continue to stride further. The aviation sector in the Emirate of Dubai is proud to be a partner in this process through our contribution to the development of civil aviation in the UAE and globally for the benefit of the travelling public and the peoples of the world, through providing efficient connectivity, safe and secure air transport system and cooperation with the international organizations, such as, ICAO.” 

James Hogan, president and chief executive officer of Etihad Aviation Group, said: “Etihad Airways and its partner airlines are proud to have played a key role in the emergence of the UAE as a centre for global aviation. We remain committed to supporting the creation of world-class aviation infrastructure, and more importantly, the development of a workforce of aviation professionals in the United Arab Emirates.”

Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer of Flydubai commented: "UAE Civil Aviation Day recognises the success of the UAE and how it has established itself as a global aviation hub. Flydubai will continue to support Dubai’s economic development in creating free flows of trade and tourism.”

Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia, said: “The UAE’s aviation sector has grown by leaps and bounds over the last decade and is today acknowledged as one of the fastest growing aviation industries in the world. The Civil Aviation Day celebrates the immense progress the country has made in developing its aviation sector, as well as the people who made this happen. From the time Air Arabia burst on to the scene as the region’s first low-cost- carrier back in 2003, we have seen how the UAE aviation sector has gone from strength to strength maintaining strong performance in an ever-changing marketplace.”

The UAE has also played a role in bringing together the key players in space activities and civil aviation. In March 2016, the UAE hosted the ICAO and United Nations Office for Outer Space (UNOOSA) at an international symposium on the challenges and opportunities in space activities and civil aviation. Addressing the audience at the symposium,  Al Mansoori highlighted the need for the industry to take into account the public interest rather than focusing on pure profit and he called for a solid legislative and regulatory framework to ensure the safety and security of the ever expanding space sector.