The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said it has granted aerodrome licence to Al Ain International Airport and Al Bateen Airport after the duo successfully completed a high-level aviation programme.

The GCAA developed and implemented comprehensive aerodrome licence programmes earlier this year to further enhance safety and operational standards across the UAE’s international airports.

“We are pleased to announce that the Al Ain International Airport and Al Bateen International Airport have been issued with an Aerodrome License, said Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director general of GCAA.

'Through the course of the programme, the Abu Dhabi Airports Company, complied with regulations and expressed total dedication in raising the performance of its aviation operation facilities, equipment, training systems, procedures and manuals,' he noted.

The commercial success of local airlines and the strong influx of investment and tourism from around the world have caused the UAE’s international airports to grow from airfields to top quality aviation hubs.

'This unprecedented growth has created a need for aviation professionals across the UAE to regularly update their aviation systems and enhance their safety programmes to stay a step ahead of their fast growing aviation operations,' Al Suwaidi observed.

With seven civil international airports operating within the UAE, and more in the pipeline, the GCAA has been at the forefront of regional aviation development through constant auditing, training and monitoring of the country’s aerodrome operators.

“The UAE’s international airports have established themselves as world class aviation services providers,” Al Suwaidi remarked.

“To continue delivering top quality services it is crucial to constantly enhance safety programmes and challenge existing quality standards with new procedures and technology,” he added.

Aimed at all facets of air operations, the GCAA invested heavily in the aerodrome licence programmes by providing aviation specialists and conducting numerous inspections and audits to ensure that the highest level of safety and security standards is maintained.

The GCAA is also working closely with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and regional aviation authorities to advance existing air systems and operations adopt international aviation safety and security standards and programmes and focus on safety and security measures to prevent and reduce incidents and accidents.-TradeArabia News Service