Taking control

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Two main buildings house the latest technology to accommodate traffic growth for 20 years or a total traffic volume exceeding two million annual movements, according to the GCAA.

The centre comprises two main buildings: the air traffic control centre building which houses the main air traffic control operations room and air navigation services offices and a slimmed down version of the main building next door which would be used in times of emergency.

"We anticipate the need to construct another building similar in size to the main one to enable expansion plans," Al Suwaidi explained.

But it wasn't all smooth sailing. The project went over budget and the GCAA faced problems with construction towards the end of the project as materials became very expensive.

However, putting these issues aside, Al Suwaidi said he continues to look to the future even though slow traffic growth is anticipated until the end of 2010. "The UAE has more than doubled its economy in the past decade and the nation is now confronted with a period of consolidation due to the effects of the financial crisis.

"Fortunately the UAE has been less affected [by the economy], but the hope is that we will continue to see positive growth. We have been enjoying double digit growth over the past year but to have positive growth is a good achievement in this climate," he said.

In addition to its practical function the centre will also focus on training UAE nationals to become air traffic controllers.

At present, just 29% of the UAE's ATC staff are nationals, but the GCAA hopes to turn this around.

"We will have a new initiative which will start very soon with the objective to attract more nationals to this business," Al Suwaidi explained. "We are in shared communication with potential sponsors and partners that are both private and public investors." Al Suwaidi would not disclose how much money would be needed from investors to fund the initiative, but added that the ambitious project may also include opening an ATC academy.

"A final decision has not been made and it would not necessarily be in Abu Dhabi, but it would remain in the UAE," the director general added.

Al Suwaidi revealed that the GCAA continued to meet regularly with airlines as searching for new markets during the economic slump was of growing importance.

"We are seeking bilateral agreements with other countries to try and find new markets for our national carriers in order to move their businesses forward," he explained. "India and Pakistan are key markets and we are maintaining strong relationships with these countries," he concluded.

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