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New Dubai aviation body set up

DUBAI — His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has announced the establishment of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA).

The new body, according to a law enforced yesterday, will replace the Department of Civil Aviation, a Press statement said.

Also yesterday, a decree issued by the Dubai Ruler announced the establishment of the Dubai City of Aviation, comprising the Dubai Airports, Dubai World Central and Dubai Air Traffic Navigation. The Jebel Ali International Airport has been renamed as Al Maktoum International Airport under the decree.

According to a Press statement released yesterday, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority will oversee conventions and the signing of agreements on the use of Dubai’s air space for commercial air transport, in addition to issuing licences to new national and foreign air travel operators of regular and charter flights.

Under the law, the DCAA is a government entity with financial and administrative independence, responsible for policy-making, air traffic, and air transport and air cargo. It will also represent Dubai in negotiations related to the Authority.

The law also announced the appointment of a director-general, who will be responsible for setting, implementing and monitoring the general policies of the authority.

The DCAA will be exempted from paying taxes to the government and will assume sole authority of all the lands and facilities that were under the purview of the Department of Civil Aviation and Dubai International Airport. It will also take over the mandate of all commitments towards the Dubai City of Aviation Establishment that has been created as an umbrella organisation for the newly-created Dubai City of Aviation and its subsidiaries. All employees of the Department of Civil Aviation will now be employees of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority.

Shaikh Mohammad’s directive is linked to the Dubai Strategy Plan 2015, which aims to restructure Dubai’s aviation sector to match its rapid growth and reinforce its status as a major player in the global aviation industry. The Dubai City of Aviation Establishment (DCAE), formed in 2006 and headed by Shaikh Ahmad bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Group, will oversee the operations of the Dubai City of Aviation and other entities.

• UAE