GCAA's Emiratisation Programme scores new successes

Abu Dhabi: The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) recently celebrated the graduation of two Emirati air traffic controllers who qualified to undertake their new jobs in Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Centre in Abu Dhabi. Hamad Al Braiki and Thani Al Karimi were enrolled in a training program for two and a half years, during which they underwent theoretical learning and intensive practical training, and 800 hours of hands-on air traffic control training. Hamad and Thani obtained licenses approved by the GCAA and joined the workforce in the Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Centre responsible for the management of United Arab Emirates airspace. "UAE GCAA has been keen on developing an integrated programme of Emiratisation since 1998, which resulted in 100% Emiratisation of managerial positions and the recruitment of 30 UAE nationals working as air traffic controllers and 16 trainees at various stages of the training programme," said Saif Al Suwaidi, Director-General, GCAA. Ahmed Al Jallaf, Executive Director of Air Navigation Services, said that the civil aviation authority is constantly attracting UAE nationals to fill vacant positions in the industry, and has launched a campaign to promote the profession of air traffic controller in the UAE to encourage young Emiratis to join the training program specially set up for this purpose. The UAE airspace is among the smallest but most important airspaces in the world, due to the strategic location of the UAE as the link between East and West. Inaugurated in 2009, Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Centre aimed to accommodate the growth in the aviation sector, and soon received the Sheikh Khalifa Award for the best technical experience category, in recognition of the advanced technologies used at the centre. The centre represents one of the key infrastructure projects in the UAE, being the largest, most advanced air navigation facility in the Middle East. The main navigation building comprises a 600 square metre air traffic control room in addition to other well equipped locations to cover the increase in aviation traffic over the next 20 years, which is expected to reach 20 million movements annually. – Emirates News Agency, WAM