Dh300m Air Traffic Control Centre in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI - The new state-of-the-art air traffic control centre at the Abu Dhabi International Airport will start operations on June 1, announced the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) on Tuesday.

By Anwar Ahmad

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Published: Thu 19 Feb 2009, 1:31 AM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 1:31 AM

Hassan Mohammed Karam, Director of Air Navigation Services addressing the media on the current technology in use during an introduction to the upcoming opening of the Shaikh Zayed Centre air traffic control centre.—KTPhoto by Manuel SalazarAccording to GCAA, the Dh300-million air traffic centre, named Shaikh Zayed Centre, will be thebiggest and most advanced air traffic management facility in the Middle East.

The GCAA Director-General, Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi,said the project is scheduled for completion by May 2009 and begin to functionfrom June 1.

The air traffic control equipments at the centre are designed to cater to the needs of air traffic growth until 2020 as the UAE has seen an immense increase in air traffic in the past two decades.

Shaikh Zayed Centre consists of two main buildings, the Area Control Centre and the Emergency ACC, which contains the back-up operations room and air traffic control trainingfacilities.

Hassan Mohammed Karam, Director of Air Navigation Services addressing the media on the current technology in use during an introduction to the upcoming opening of the Shaikh Zayed Centre air traffic control centre.—KTPhotoby Manuel SalazarThe design of four 60-metre masts for communications equipment antennas will provide a blend of aesthetic quality with practical application.

Talking to Khaleej Times, Al Suwaidi said, “The GCAA has one area control centre located behind the Carrefour in Abu Dhabi city and has 160 people who monitor and control air traffic movements in and around the country, while the new centre will add 61 more air traffic controllers.

“The new centre will also communicate with airports of other countries and share information with all flights entering in the UAE flight region.”

On completion ofthe new building, all staff of the previous air control centre will be moved there and the old premises will be abandoned.

All air traffic controls will be carried out from there, Al Suwaidi said.

“Of late, we have 17 qualified Emirati air traffic controllers, while 30 more are under training and, hopefully, will be ready by the end of the year. We also have the first female Emirati air traffic controller,” he added.

anwar@khaleejtimes.com


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