27 July 2016

Dubai: The GCAA Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Centre in Abu Dhabi is one of the busiest air traffic control centers in the world offering unique challenges for air traffic controllers due to air traffic volume, airspace complexity and major air carrier hubs being located within the United Arab Emirates. The UAE controls approximately 124,000 square km of airspace and hosts more than 42 international airways. The Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Centre is the busiest and most advanced air traffic control facility in the Middle East and ranks as one of the elite facilities in the world. The Centre controls the airspace around Dubai International Airport, one of the world's busiest airports, and also handles international flights arriving, departing to all UAE airports and overflying the UAE from all over Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and South America.

The Middle East is the aviation crossroads of the world and at the core of this nerve center are the men and women at the Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Centre. These air traffic controllers are a rare breed of quick thinking, professionally minded, hard working aviation experts who safely guide thousands of aircraft 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year.

"The successful implementation of the Yankee sector is in pursuit of optimizing the use of UAE airspace. This reiterates GCAA's commitment to make air navigation provision safe, efficient and environmentally friendly" stated H.E. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of UAE General Civil Aviation Authority.

"As air traffic volume grows dramatically in the UAE skies, the Sheikh Zayed Centre management is continuously planning and coordinating with all concerned departments in order to solve future air traffic demand issues. We are always keen to improve the level and quality of services provided to our customers while maintaining the highest levels of safety and compliance with ICAO standards and national regulations. The GCAA is proud of the team who worked on delivering innovative ideas and solutions to serve our customers and respond to their requirements" stated Ahmed Al Jallaf the Assistant Director General for Air Navigation Services in the GCAA.

A notably active sector of airspace controlled from The Sheikh Zayed Centre is located just East of Dubai over the Gulf of Oman. This sector of airspace has seen a discernable increase in Northern Emirates arrival traffic from Asia over the last few years. UAE air traffic controllers are responsible for these arrivals from the East transitioning from Altitudes greater than 30,000 feet into the Sheikh Zayed Centre airspace.

Not long ago, the Centre was composed of a single sector of airspace. To meet growing demand, the 11th sector, "Sector Yankee", has been created and now two air traffic controllers perform the tasks previously assigned to a single person.

During busy periods as the Eastern airspace gets congested with air traffic, The "Sector Yankee" controller, focuses on lining up the arrivals in a neat and orderly sequence. After the arrivals are sequenced, the Yankee controller transfer the aircraft in the right order and right altitude to Dubai Airport Controller for the final phase of their flight where they land safely at their destination whether it is Dubai International Airport, Dubai World Central Airport, Sharjah Airport or Ras Al Khaimah Airport.

The sector will also lead to enhancing safety and reducing radio frequency congestion. Busy skies can strain air traffic controllers and air traffic control systems. By splitting busy workload sessions, there is a savings in cost and time for aircraft operators and air travelers. Airport and airspace congestion is alleviated, hence fewer constraints on continued aviation growth and increased safety, thanks to more accurate information in the hands of pilots, controllers and better communications throughout the air traffic control system.

Since the implementation of the new Sector Yankee, air traffic controllers and supervisors alike have reported the new sector performs brilliantly. Sector Yankee is a prime example of forward-thinking air traffic management and continues a proud tradition of innovation and future planning founded by the air traffic management professionals at the Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Centre.

Sheikh Zayed ir Navigation centre hands more than 2500 air traffic movements a day out of which more than 700 movements are managed through the Yankee sector. The centre serves 9 international airports and hosts 11 air traffic control sectors.

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© Press Release 2016