4 July 2013: Dubai , UAE: Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Center, a entity of UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) organized and hosted a workshop to pilots and air traffic controllers around air traffic operations in the Northern part of UAE airspace.

HE Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of GCAA, stressed the importance of continuous cooperation with GCAA's stakeholders on all levels to ensure the highest standards of air navigations services provided in UAE.

Ahmed Al Jallaf, Executive Director of Air Navigation Services sector, commented: "Technical cooperation and multilateral discussions between Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation center and aviation stakeholders are essential to further advance air navigations services in UAE". "UAE National Airspace Advisory Committee, which is the first of its kind in the region, is a crystallization of our cooperative efforts," he added.

The workshop discussion was initiated by Juma Hareb Al Falahi, Deputy Executive Director of Air Navigation Services sector, who invited participants to engage actively in the discussions of the workshop to reach common recommendations and conclusions by the end of day.

Attendees were introduced to the latest progress in the technical and operational fields, and discussed as well the upcoming workshop which will be held next month to focus on air traffic operations in the northern part of UAE's national airspace with participation of northern airports and carriers representatives.

The workshop agenda also included presentations on Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Center's operations and systems, as well as latest technical programs such as Arrival Manager System (AMAN) and a general forecast of expected restructuration of UAE airspace.

Final conclusions included recommendations to improve aircraft data systems to be harmonized with the current airspace structure among other recommended procedures to accommodate the increase in air traffic movements. All participants agreed unanimously on the importance of holding similar workshops on regular basis.

GCAA had already listed enhancement in air navigation services with stakeholders as a strategic objective for its triennial plan, and is currently working with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to execute technical programs among state members as studies indicate the correlation between technical operation management and the quality of activities provided by air navigation services providers.

© Press Release 2013