UAE air traffic movement up 7.7%

The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced on Monday that air traffic movements in the UAE grew at a rate of 7.7 pre cent in October 2011 compared to the same month last year.

The GCAA monthly report indicated that total air traffic movements in October 2011 were 61,705 with an average of 1,990 air traffic movements per day.

Dubai ranked first with 27,448 traffic movements. Over flights stood next at 13,671 air traffic movements. Abu Dhabi ranked third with 8,609 air traffic movements. According to the report, air traffic movements in Sharjah International Airport ranked fourth with 5,232 movements. Local flights between UAE airports were in the fifth position with 5,207 movements. Al Maktoum International Airport witnessed 531 movements, Fujairah International Airport witnessed 285 movements, while Ras Al Khaimah International Airport had 584 air traffic movements and Al Ain Airport had 183 air traffic movements.

The report indicated that as far as air safety is concerned, the GCAA renewed three Air Operator Certificates (AOC), completed 39 licensing transactions for aircraft maintenance companies. Further, GCAA conducted six inspections and audits, issued 22 simulator certificates. In terms of (ROSI) system, 75 aviation incidents were reported. In addition, the GCAA conducted 10 inspections and audits for Air Navigation and Aerodromes operations.

As for licensing, GCAA issued 60 new crew licences, renewed 598 licences, conducted 22 crew examinations. Further, it issued 18 new aircraft maintenance engineers licences, and conducted 39 aircraft maintenance engineer examinations. Concerning air traffic controller transactions, the report showed that GCAA issued three new licences and renewed 10 licences.

Regarding Aeromedical activities, the report indicated that GCAA issued 630 medical certificates in various qualified categories, appointed nine medical committees. As such, licencing related transactions in October 2011 stood at 4,617.

As for Aviation Security Affairs, one licence for dangerous goods cargo agency was issued and renewed seven, and conducted three inspections and audits.

In terms of Air Transport Services during the last month, the GCAA signed an Air Transport Agreement with Republic of Montenegro, Ukraine, Scandinavia, Swaziland and Albania. The GCAA also signed the total of 10 MoU during the month of October 2011, with the following countries: Ukrain, Jamaica, Scandinavia, Finland, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Mexico, South Africa, Swaziland and Kenya.