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UAE Civil Aviation Industry highlighted at IATA’s AGM

The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) concluded a successful participation at the world’s airlines premier event – IATA’s 68th Annual General Meeting (AGM) - took place recently in Beijing.

As part of its traditional World Air Transport Summit, IATA’s AGM gathered some of aviation’s most prominent leaders. It showcased a number of interesting and thought-provoking panels. UAE Representative, Capt. Aysha Al Hamili spoke on the panel on ‘The Value of Aviation’ addressing a record-breaking attendance of over 1,100 delegates.

Capt. Al Hamili underscored that for the UAE, aviation is not only a tool but rather a ‘Strategic Policy Imperative.’ Aviation links us to the world. Connectivity is vital for a young country that was only established in 1972. Within the various structure of the UAE government, every policy must recognize and view the sector as a catalytic element of the economic supply chain. Aviation is not an ‘end’ on itself. It is a vehicle through which to achieve economic and social development. Capt. Al Hamili indicated that the aviation sector contributes 6.2% to UAE GDP.

She also pointed out that the task of promoting the awareness of the value of aviation should be seen as a ‘joint-partnership’ industry / government. Industry cannot do it alone, nor can governments. Industry needs to highlight the contribution of the sector to the economy. Industry needs to do a much better job at explaining the consequences of a given policy. Yet ‘industry’ should not only echo the voices of those airlines from certain corners of the world. It should be a much more ‘inclusive’ process, in order to take into account the views of emerging markets.

It is worth mentioning that Capt. Al Hamili is the youngest representative in the ICAO Council. She was the only Permanent Representative to ICAO invited as a speaker to IATA’s AGM.

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