Aviation Africa: Middle East has 'strong cultural and geographic links'
Delegates to the Aviation Africa 2015 summit and exhibition were officially welcomed to Dubai by Laila Ali Hareb Al Muhairi, assistant director general for strategy and international affairs, UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) (pictured).
She said the event would enable key networking opportunities with leading civil aviation experts.
“There are strong relationships that link the Middle East and Africa,” Al Muhairi said.
“Not only are there strong cultural and geographic links, and more and more air service agreements, many of which are open sky, but there is a dynamic approach to sharing knowledge and best practice.
“We have also been privileged to work with Ghana, Sudan, Liberia, South Africa and others on a programme to get more women working in aviation.”
She added that the African aerospace industry faces many challenges, including issues over safety, airport development and the security of common skies.
“But aviation is never an isolated industry,” she said. “We all have a responsibility to support the oldest continent on this earth.”
The two-day event, being held at Dubai's Le Meridien Hotel, is bringing together government and civil aviation authorities; senior airline management; business aviation operators and specialists and others from the aviation industry.
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