People power

UN pilots face unique challenges as they strive to ensure safety and security while transporting humanitarian relief to often isolated areas.

In response to these challenges, the world food programme's aviation division brought together, for the first time, aviation safety experts and top programme managers to discuss global aviation safety and security, and to explore the future of humanitarian air operations.

The Abu Dhabi-based conference, which was held last month, covered the role of civil aviation authorities, independent safety organisations, foreign registered aircraft operations, safety management systems and issues such as aircraft aging, infrastructure and airstrip information.

Aviation Business spoke to Samir Sajet, the programme's Middle East aviation safety officer to find out how exactly the UN operates safely in notoriously dangerous parts of the world and brings you the latest aircraft and ICAO standards information.

Also in Aviation Business February issue, we launch a new monthly section dedicated to the region's business aviation market. Shane O'Hare, president and CEO of the most successful business jet operator in the Middle East, takes time out to reveal to us how Royal Jet has cleverly placed itself within a niche market by operating the largest fleet of Boeing Business Jets in the world, and explains that despite the operators comfortable position, the travel provider is always on the look out for new and emerging markets to capitalise on.

Training institutes are also capitalising on the current market demands, and in this issue we look at the new facilities and recruitment methods that are impacting the industry.

As regional airport projects and airlines' expansion plans rapidly progress, the need for skilled and technical staff increases. Speaking at the recent Middle East Airport Projects conference held in Dubai, IATA's regional vice president, Dr Majdi Sabri expressed concern at how the region is ‘slow-moving' when it comes to adopting change.

Dr Sabri identified that healthy airlines require open skies, and it is open sky policies that are delivering economic benefits in Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE. As these economic benefits take hold, there will be a greater need for airlines to increase flight frequency and order new aircraft to meet with demand. In the meantime aviation experts point out that those airlines must be prepared to deliver the manpower required.

Sarah Cowell is the editor of Aviation Business.

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