DUBAI// More needs to be done to alleviate an increasingly congested airspace throughout the GCC region, urged the UAE’s aviation watchdog.
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) says there needs to be more cooperation among other civilian aviation authorities to cope with the growing demand for air travel.
The GCC countries’ congested skies are expecting an annual growth of 6 per cent in air traffic movements in the coming few years, said Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director general of GCAA.
To manage this efficiently, we are looking at different and creative approaches to collaborate and find effective solutions together.
The key to solving the problem will be innovative new technology as well as regional cooperation, he said.
Speaking during the Future Air Transportation Summit (FATSS) held in Dubai earlier this week Mr Al Suwaidi said he was confident the GCC would overcome the issue.
The summit was held alongside the ICAO Middle East Airspace Enhancement Program, MAEP, Steering Committee meeting, and brought together government officials responsible for civil aviation.
Civil aviation plays a crucial role in maintaining economic growth for many countries around the world, said Ahmed Al Jallaf, the GCAA’s executive director of Air Navigation Services at the GCAA.
There were around 2,200 air traffic movements each day above the skies of the UAE and that was expected to increase to 5,100 daily movements by 2030, he said.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
