Officials from the General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) announced Saturday they have signed an agreement with their Egyptian counterparts to enhance an executive program dealing with services and navigation systems. The program, which will take effect next week, aims to strengthen an exchange expertise between the two countries.
The deal was signed by GACA chairman Abdullah Bin Muhammad Nur Al-Rahimi and Ihab Anwar Sadiq, the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority in Egypt.
According to al-Rahimi, the deal is part of a cooperative framework to further strengthen ties between Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
"The navigation systems program came about because both sides recognized the important benefits that could be achieved through strengthening their cooperation in accordance with the laws and regulations of both countries," Al-Rahimi said. "It was realized in order to upgrade air navigation services in Saudi Arabia and Egypt in particular, and in the Middle East in general."
The deal, summarized in nine articles, involves a number of topics. Some involve development and cooperation in the fields of navigation and planning.
Others were concerned with pacts to exchange experiences and information in the field of aeronautics.
Collaboration in airspace planning to ensure a smoother flow of air traffic in the future was another topic.
Rahimi and Sadiq agreed to introduce the future navigation systems in both countries at the same time.
"We also came to a point where our positions in international conferences became evident," Rahimi said.
Rahimi said the joint project will boost efforts to enhance research in navigation systems.
The two countries' aviation bodies will meet every six months.
By Abdullah Al-Hariri
The Saudi Gazette 2007
