Transportation Ministry signs agreement with German DFS Aviation Services

Manama, Nov. 13 (BNA): A BHD 10.6 million-agreement for the provision of manpower for air navigation services for a period of two years was signed today at the Bahrain International Air Show 2018 (BIAS) between the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications’ Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA) and the German company DFS Aviation Services GmbH, a subsidiary of the German air navigation services provider DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH. On the occasion, Kamal bin Ahmed Mohamed, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, said: "The DFS Group is considered to be one of the best providers of air navigation services and has extensive experience and expertise. I am confident that with this partnership, our Civil Aviation air navigation capabilities will be elevated as our team learn from the industry’s best." The Ministry’s Undersecretary for Civil Aviation Affairs, Mohamed Thamir Al Kaabi, said: "This agreement with DFS Aviation Services will enable CAA to carry out its responsibilities at a top standard, enabling our team to gain international experience in the fields of air navigation, aviation safety, regulations and more, and I am pleased that we have been able to build this partnership with a partner as well established as the DFS Group. "The agreement will be in effect from January 2019 till December 2020," he added. "We are honoured to win Bahrain as a modern and dynamic partner. The rapid development of the country makes this project particularly exciting for us," said Oliver P. Cristinetti, Managing Director of DFS Aviation Services. "We look forward to tackling the ATM future together and to supporting the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications of Bahrain in developing the country as a vibrant platform for travel and to reinforcing its international role." The agreement comes as part of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s strategy to develop an international standard aviation sector, which can fulfil its role of efficiently connecting Bahrain to the rest of the world. The continued development of this industry stems from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s valuable directives which have led to the Kingdom’s pioneering position in the industry, an example of which is the Bahrain Flight Information region (BFIR), which is a key factor in facilitating the movement of civil aircraft to and from Europe and Southeast Asia. One of the critical success factors in reaching this position has been the skilled Bahraini workforce, with a team of highly qualified air traffic controllers, who have been trained to the highest international standard.