Muharraq, Kingdom of Bahrain, 15th April 2014: Gulf Aviation Academy (GAA), the Kingdom's premier aviation training academy, has been awarded the Aviation Security Training Centre (ASTC) certification from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The inauguration took place at GAA's Simulator Building in Muharraq. Attending the event was the Secretary General of ICAO, Mr. Raymond Benjamin, Major General Tariq Al Hassan, Chief of Public Security, Ministry of Interior, Mr. Ahmed Nemat, Acting Undersecretary at the Ministry of Transportation Civil Aviation Affairs, Maher Salman Al Musallam, Deputy CEO Gulf Air, Mr. Mohamed Yusuf Al Binfalah, Chief Executive Officer of Bahrain Airport Company, Mr. Salman Al Mahmeed, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Bahrain Airport Services, Mr. Peter Grohmann, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations and colleagues from the aviation security departments at the airport.

Representing the academy was Captain Ishaq Al Kooheji, GAA's Chairman and other board members as well as Captain Dhaffer Al Abbasi, GAA's CEO.

On this occasion, Captain Dhaffer stated: "Introducing Gulf Aviation Academy as the 28th ASTC center in the world is further proof of GAA's capabilities in terms of providing accredited training in all facets of the aviation field. With this accreditation, GAA has further cemented its reputation in delivering excellence in terms of training coupled by enhanced international standards to ensure that the aviation industry in the region and more specifically the Kingdom of Bahrain is managed by high caliber personnel."

Captain Al Abbasi also thanked GAA's board of directors and the Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs for their support in acquiring the prestigious accreditation. He also added that the presence of the delegates who represented all major aviation stakeholders in Bahrain at the ceremony today is a sure sign of progressive growth and development to the Bahrain aviation sector.

Bahrain has been a part of ICAO, a United Nations agency, in charge of codifying principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport since 1971.

Upon receiving this certification, GAA will be able to conduct ICAO approved programs for airport security personnel and other airport stakeholders. This falls in line with GAA's vision of being the region's center of comprehensive aviation training. The academy has already commenced several training courses in coordination with Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs and other local clients will be the Ministry of Interior, Bahrain Airport Company and Bahrain Customs.

The ASTC accreditation is the first of several accreditations that GAA is cooperating with ICAO on. Next in line is the establishment of GAA as an accredited ICAO Air Traffic Control Training Center.

The Academy commenced operations after its launch in early 2010, and is now one of a select few internationally certified aviation training centres in the region, offering a wide range of high quality aviation training solutions.

GAA is an EASA Approved Training Organisation in addition to being approved by Bahrain, Saudi, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Jordan, Pakistan and Aruba and offers a wide range of high quality aviation training solutions for the aviation industry in the Middle East, Asia and North Africa region. GAA's Simulator Centre currently has seven simulator bays with the capacity to train thousands of pilots annually. The Academy is also the only IATA Regional Training Partner (RTP) and an Authorised Training Centre (ATC) in Bahrain.

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About Gulf Aviation Academy (GAA):
GAA, positioned as the future of commercial aviation training, is based in the Kingdom of Bahrain to serve the needs of the aviation industry in the MENA region. The academy, a fully-owned subsidiary of Mumtalakat, the investment arm of the Kingdom of Bahrain, offers a comprehensive range of high quality aviation training solutions to all aviation personnel including pilots, engineers and cabin crew. GAA's training facilities, located at Bahrain International Airport, operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and provides state-of-the-art latest simulator equipment with internationally qualified personnel.

For press enquiries about GAA please contact:
Nadya Eqab
Gulf Aviation Academy
É +973 1735 7701
Ê +973 1735 7801
nadya.eqab@gaa.aero
www.gaa.aero

© Press Release 2014