Civil aviation sector of the United Arab Emirates has projected promising capacity to overcome challenges of unprecedented levels led by Covid-19 pandemic and turning them in positive direction through directives of UAE’s leadership and continue the nation’s humanitarian efforts to support communities across the world to help combat the coronavirus.

UAE’s aviation sector has played a key role in delivering the Emirate’s humanitarian aid across the globe during pandemic crisis. It was noted on October 5 on the occasion of the UAE Civil Aviation Day and in celebration of the arrival of the first aircraft in the country in 1932 at Al Mahatta Airport, Sharjah. The sector handles operations of six carriers, which include Wizz Air and Al Arabiya Abu Dhabi. The medical and humanitarian aid delivered across the nations in need during times of global crisis while following preventive measures to protect the safety and health of all employees, passengers and partners.

In coordination with national authorities the aviation sector has implemented various precautionary and preventive measures for countering Covid-19. Advanced technologies have been implemented at UAE’s airports, including auto-sanitizing gates, touchless technology elevators, self-sanitizing escalators, thermal cameras, and Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. Evacuation of Emirati citizens has also been intensified who are stranded abroad, along with citizens of friendly nations. The UAE has extended support to over 118 countries through tonnes of relief and medical aid. By 2019 end the sector has witnessed promising development with 8,656 pilots, 37,694 flight attendants and 4,321 engineers. Moreover, there are 189 aircraft maintenance companies, 17 specialized medical centres and 47 training and consultancy centres. The UAE takes pride in having world’s largest fleet of registered Boeing 777 aircraft with a total of 881 at the end of 2019. It also has 27 airline licences, 105 air cargo companies and three licenced air navigation firms.

The Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Global Aviation Award, the largest award honouring global leaders of the civil aviation sector, was also launched with US$1 million in prize. The General Civil Aviation Authority signed aerial connectivity related 12 agreements, and seven initial agreements and nine Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) to convene aerial transport talks with 23 countries.

WAM