The UAE has announced “a major change” in the way it manages airspace in a bid to increase capacity for the growing number of aircraft visiting the region.
As part of efforts to ease congestion in the skies around the UAE, the country’s General Civil Aviation Authority said the change would help facilitate the flow of air traffic between UAE and Bahrain.
“The modification consists of introducing three routes instead of the current unique entry route in addition to the introduction of other changes in the procedures for handling traffic flow that will contribute effectively in decreasing airspace congestion,” the GCAA said in a statement.
The move is the latest phase in an improvement plan devised by Bahrain and Dubai Foundation for Air Navigation Services.
Late last year, Tony Tyler, director general and CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), said air traffic management and safety are key priorities for Middle East aviation officials as the region looks to build on its rapid growth over the past decade.
He said growing traffic in the MENA region must be matched with sufficient airspace capacity.
Saif Al Suwaidi, director general of the General Authority for Civil Aviation, said: “This change is a natural result of the large increase in air traffic movement in the UAE and the region.”
Ahmed Al Jallaf, executive director of Air Navigation Services and chairman of UAE National Airspace Advisory Committee added: “Improving the capacity of UAE airspace comes on top of our priorities.
“Air Navigation Services Sector seeks to establish a smooth flow of traffic while ensuring the security and safety of airspace as well as the efficiency of operations.”
Al Jallaf praised the cooperation and effective coordination between the Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Centre all involved entities which contributed to the latest change, including GCAA expert Mr. Talal Al Hammadi, Head of Airspace Coordination Section for ensuring smooth flow of operations and planning.
Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Centre (SZC), is the largest Air Traffic Management facility in the Middle East.
The UAE airspace is among the smallest but most important airspaces in the world due to the strategic location of the UAE being the link between the East and West.
Inaugurated in 2009, Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Centre today handles more than 2,100 air traffic movements per day for the international airports in the UAE as well as the over flying movements.
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