Dubai Air Navigation Services- a key player in aviation growth

The aviation sector has experienced multifaceted successes to date, with Dubai International being announced as the World's busiest airport in terms of international passengers, surpassing Heathrow, and the recent ranking as no. 1 in terms of Quality in air transport infrastructure.
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With the robust flow of passengers and flights, a team of highly specialised professionals are working behind the scenes, ensuring the efficient, expeditious and safe management of the Dubai airspace. This team represents Dubai Air Navigation Services (DANS), the air navigation services provider managing the Dubai and Northern Emirates airspace, successfully providing air navigation services with excellence since 1967. 

Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum chairman of Dubai Airports; president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority; Chairman and CEO of Emirates Group, Chairman of Dubai Air Navigation Services stated: The aviation sector is one of the main engines of growth in the UAE, we continuously strive to ensure that Dubai remains at the forefront as the global hub. It is our goal to welcome 100 million passengers annually through our two airports by 2020, and reach 200 million passengers by 2045. In efforts to increase air traffic movements capacity in Dubai Airports to achieve these goals, the executive team in Dubai Air Navigation Services are developing partnerships with International organisations from Europe and the United States of America that will facilitate the exchange process of knowledge and expertise, as well as collaborate on various projects that will enhance capacity.” 

Dubai has witnessed significant growth in the volume of air traffic movements over the past decade, with an 85% increase. This remarkable growth resonates directly into the growth and expansion plans of being able to cater to the forecasted increase in air traffic movements, as the aviation sector continues to grow in light of Dubai Expo 2020. 

Mohammed A. Ahli, director general of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and the CEO of Dubai Air Navigation Services (DANS) stated: “Dubai has transformed into becoming one of the world’s busiest business and tourism hubs under the leadership and vision of HRH Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister Ruler of Dubai. Today, we are proud to be at the centerfold of history in the making as Dubai is preparing to host more than 20 million visitors around Dubai Expo 2020.Dubai Air Navigation Services has been successful in increasing air traffic movements capacity in a remarkable time span, while we strive to develop into a global air navigation services provider aligned with global measures of other world class leading European and American ANSP’s and airports.” 

Following the leadership of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Airports; President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority; Chairman and CEO of Emirates Group, Chairman of Dubai Air Navigation Services stated, the organisation has established partnerships with Key organisations such as Eurocontrol, ENAV and MITRE in order to exchange knowledge and benchmark best practice to be able to overcome the existing challenges in the sector such as re-categorization of wake turbulence. The organisation is currently carrying out extensive research and experiments on the safe reduction of wake spacing between successive aircrafts. 

Ibrahim Ahli, Chief Operating Officer of Dubai Air Navigation Services stated: “To keep up with the continuous growth and increase in demand in the aviation sector, Dubai Air Navigation Services strives to implement best practices through employing pioneering resources on a regional and global level, as well as implementing cutting edge technologies inorder to increase capacity. In addition, the organisation ensures the adoption of an environment that drives innovation through investing in creative minds to maintain its position as a leader.” 

DANS is implementing a number of innovative air navigation service solutions and projects utilising the latest communication, navigation and surveillance (CNS) technologies. From amongst these projects, a system upgrade for the Instrument Landing System (CAT III) for dual runway operations was implemented ,which paved the way for enabling air traffic control operations to run normally and safely during low visibility situations. This also has enabled the doubling of aircraft movements during such periods. 

Moreover, in efforts to drive cross sector collaboration and enhance air traffic movements capacity, DANS is part of the “UAE airspace restructuring project”, which is implementing a new conceptual design of the terminal airspace encompassing the forecasted growth in the industry in line with the plan for Expo 2020 and beyond.Mr. Abdulla Al Hashmi, Vice President of Operations in DANS stated: “DANS is well known for implementing bespoke innovative projects and cutting edge technologies to enhance air traffic movements capacity. These projects will result in the reduction of taxi times, delays, simultaneously ensuring the reduction of environmental hazards, as well as ensuring major fuel savings and reduced costs to operators”. He added: “We are ensuring that air traffic scenarios for up to 2040 are considered in the projects we are implementing.” 

Nils Svan, vice president of strategy in Dubai Air Navigation Services stated: “In order to deliver unparalleled air navigation services excellence to the aviation sector and increase the safety and resilience of the provision of air traffic services, DANS implemented a strategy aligned with international standards that will enable it to become globally recognised. DANS has established partnerships with Key organisations and have become members in the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO), which will support in the delivery of our high level strategy. Our main strategic priority at this stage is targeted towards operational enhancement.” 

The world’s largest 3D tower simulator “TOSIM” capable of replicating any airport is owned and operated by DANS. This enables best practice used in other regions, to be trialed and, where required, enhanced in the simulator before deployment into the Dubai airspace. 

Paul Roberts, vice president of business support in Dubai Air Navigation Services stated: “The operational capabilities in the organisation such as the “TOSIM” ensure the highest safety standards are adhered to without the chance of disruptions to live operations, and enables the organisation to provide the highest learning and training facilities to its employees, thus producing highly-skilled caliber of Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) and Air Traffic Engineers." 

DANS is committed to provide continuous support in the aviation sector with regards to the expansion plan of all the stakeholders and customers, as well as drive further collaboration through introducing the concept of a “center of excellence” in the region. The organisation will continue with its strategic plan to enhance capacity, through the investment and implementation of the latest technologies and solutions in air traffic management.