Emirates has reinforced its commitment to innovation and development in the aviation sector by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) ahead of UAE Innovation Week.

The MoU was signed by Adel Al Redha, Emirates executive vice president and chief operations officer and Mohammed A. Ahli, director general of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority in the presence of senior representatives from Emirates and DCAA at the Emirates Group Headquarters in Dubai.

Under the MoU, Emirates and DCAA will explore opportunities for collaboration in innovation and development across a number of areas that will contribute to the aviation sector both in the UAE as well as regionally.

“Emirates is committed to developing and implementing innovative ideas that will positively impact and transform the aviation sector globally” said Al Redha. “Innovation and automation is the way forward to improve our efficiency and enhance our product offering. It is a key enabler of success in our business and this MoU will set the platform to further extend the collaboration between Emirates and Dubai Civil Aviation Authority on the development and roll out of innovative technologies across our operations.”

Emirates is at the forefront of innovation in the global aviation industry. The Emirates Innovation Lab, set up in 2012, is one of the airline’s initiatives to bring together creative minds from across the company to brainstorm and develop ideas that, when implemented, can lead to improved efficiencies and productivity. The concept of collaboration between Emirates and DCAA was first mooted at a meeting between the regulatory authority and Emirates Innovation Lab earlier in 2016.

According to the terms of the MoU, both Emirates and DCAA will work together and share information on a number of programmes relating to aviation strategies and innovation. In addition, both parties will also offer technical assistance and advice to each other in specific areas that will be identified for collaboration.

Speaking on the occasion of the MoU signing, A. Ahli said: “DCAA with its new vision ‘the airport of the world, Dubai’ will improve performance at all levels and facilitate customer happiness through innovation and by fostering innovation culture. This is in line with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s words ‘Try to achieve the impossible and direct your people to ways of achieving it’. This MOU with Emirates airline, our strategic partner, will encourage innovation and inspire talent in both entities to reach our common vision of the aviation sector in Dubai. I would like to thank the management at Emirates and the innovation teams of both entities, for their efforts involved, in realising this MoU.” - TradeArabia News Service