The UAE has opened its “Sector Yankee”, its 11th air traffic control centre, as it looks to manage ever-growing demand for airspace.
The Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Centre in Abu Dhabi, run by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), is one of the busiest air traffic control centres in the world.
It offers unique challenges for air traffic controllers due to air traffic volume and airspace complexity, especially with major air carrier hubs being located in the UAE, a statement said.
The UAE controls approximately 124,000 sq km of airspace and hosts more than 42 international airways.
Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director-general of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, said: “The successful implementation of the Yankee sector is in pursuit of optimising the use of UAE airspace, and reiterates the GCAA’s commitment to making air navigation provision safe, efficient and environmentally friendly.”
The navigation centre controls the airspace around Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s busiest airports, and also handles international flights arriving, departing to all UAE airports and overflying the UAE from all over Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and South America.
It handles more than 2,500 air traffic movements a day, with more than 700 movements managed through the Yankee sector. The centre serves nine international airports.
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