The UAE aviation industry showed good growth in January with the country's air traffic movements totalling 51,851, an increase of nearly 10 per cent compared to January 2009, a report said.

UAE General Civil Aviation Authority’s (GCAA) monthly report showed that average daily movement in January 2010 was 1,673, which represents an increase of 9.7 per cent compared to traffic movements in January 2009 which saw a daily average of 1,522 flights.

Dubai ranked first with 24,338 air movements, or almost 47 per cent of total UAE movement. Over flights stood next at 11,006, representing 21 per cent.

Abu Dhabi ranked third with 7,733 movements, and Sharjah international airport with 5,095 air movements.

Local flights were 3,021, representing 5.8 per cent, and came in the fourth place. Fujairah International Airport witnessed 366 movements, while Al Ain Airport and Ras Al Khaimah International Airport had 181 and 111 movements, respectively.

According to the report, in terms of aviation safety, GCAA issued and renewed 24 certificates for aircraft maintenance companies, 8 aircraft registration certificates, 42 airworthiness certificates, 20 simulator certificates and 35 examination permits.

Further, GCAA conducted 73 inspections and audits at the local and non-local levels. The number of aircraft maintenance companies in the UAE stood at 179, while 6 aircrafts were registered and 14 aircraft modification transactions were conducted.

Besides, GCAA provided aviation safety training to 9 of its staff. As such, there were 420 aviation safety-related activities in January 2010.

As for security and infrastructure operations, GCAA conducted 9 inspections and audits of UAE airports, dangerous good cargo, training institutes and airlines and issued 3 licenses to dangerous good shippers. It recorded only one security violation at the local and non-local levels, but 5 violations in relation to safety operations.

GCAA issued 51 air traffic controller licenses, prepared 92 aviation accident review reports, held 43 meetings in relation to security and infrastructure operations with several institutions and companies operating in the field of civil aviation in the UAE, provided one training course in January and trained 4 of its staff in this field. As such, activities related to security and infrastructure in January 2010 stood at 209.

In terms of crew licensing, GCAA issued 437 new licenses, which is a new record for the number of new crew licenses in one month. It also renewed 138 licenses, issued 29 temporary permits, issued 26 letters certifying aircraft license details, completed 118 type additions to licenses, issued 29 replacement licenses, and conducted 83 crew examinations, thereby bringing the number of crew licensing transactions in January 2010 to 857.

As for aircraft maintenance engineers licensing, GCAA issued 38 new licenses, renewed 24 licenses, completed 620 type additions to licenses, issued 4 replacement licenses and 16 temporary permits, and conducted 223 aircraft maintenance engineer examinations, thereby bringing the number of aircraft maintenance engineers licensing transactions in January 2010 to 925.

'GCAA started 2010 by stressing its ability to maintain its growth in terms of aviation navigations, safety, security, air transport, licensing & aeromedicine and other operations and transactions in line with the continued growth and development of this industry in the UAE,' Saif Mohammad Al Suwaidi, general manager, GCAA said.

'In spite of the challenges facing the civil aviation industry in many parts of the world, the UAE was able to maintain its growth,” he added.

“This year, GCAA will seek to strengthen its, and the UAE's, position in the global aviation industry, to ensure an adequate environment for continued growth and development at the legislative, regulatory and training levels, and to provide opportunities for Emiratis and prepare and qualify the national human resources to achieve success in this global industry and secure a leading position for the UAE,” Al Suwaidi concluded. – TradeArabia News Service