DUBAI, Dec. 25th, 2008: The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) held its 29th board meeting at its Dubai office office on Tuesday.
The meeting was chaired by Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Chairman of GCAA and UAE Minister of Economy. The board approved the GCAA budget for 2009 with a revenue outlay of Dhs227 million and expenses Dhs 273 million which will lead to deficiency of Dhs 45 million due to increase of administration and operation expenses. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of GCAA said that the board agreed to change the title of GCAA to Federal Civil Aviation Authority and it will be raised to the cabinet affairs for its approval. The board reviewed the first 6 months results of the GCAA strategic plan for 2008, and the operational plan for 2009. Al Suwaidi said that the total revenue of 2008 was Dhs 221 milllion, expenses Dhs 135.6 million and net profit Dhs 85.3 million. He said that the total air traffic volume in 2008 was 489,369 air traffic movements with a growth of 10.30% comparing to 2007, while expectations for 2009 predict total air traffic volume to reach 501,094 movements, with a growth of 2.40 % as a result of the effect of the global financial crisis to the aviation and tourism industry. Al Suwaidi added that over last 11 years, the air traffic movements increased 100 % after a tremendous growth in aviation industry from 2004 particularly in the Middle East and sub-continent region together with the expansion of UAE national airlines. The board meeting was attended by Shaikh Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, President of Ras Al Khaimah Civil Aviation Department, Mohammed Abdullah Al Salami, Chairman of Fujairah Civil Aviation Department, Dr. Ghanem Al Hajri, Chairman of Sharjah Civil Aviation Department, General Saif Al Shaafar, Under Secretary of Ministry of Interior, brigadier Ibrahim Nasser Al Alawi, Deputy Chief of Air Forces, and Abdul Aziz Al Zaabi from the Real Estate Bank, as well as Al Suwaidi.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2008.
