From no roads to aviation hub in 40 years, says VP

The UAE scored a success rate of 98.86 per cent in aviation safety, which is the highest rate in history given by ICAO.

Dubai — The UAE’s top marks for aviation safety prompted His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to tweet that the sky was the limit for the country.

“From no roads 4 decades ago, UAE today has the world’s most advanced & safe airlines & flight routes. For our dreams, the sky is the limit,” he tweeted after the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)’s Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme gave the UAE a score of  98.86 per cent.

“We will continue our strive to be the safest hub for facilitating trade, tourism and economic exchange among peoples of the world.”

He said the country’s advanced airports, airworthy planes, sound legislation and skilled staff had made the UAE’s aviation sector the safest in the world.

The UAE has accomplished an enormous and unprecedented achievement by ranking highest in the world in compliance with international aviation safety standards after intensive audit through the International Civil Aviation Organization's Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme. The UAE scored a success rate of 98.86 per cent, which is the highest rate in history given by ICAO.

Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, welcomed the significant achievement of the UAE represented by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of being rated as the top country in the world in compliance with international aviation safety standards.

“This global recognition comes as a result of persistent efforts for many years in order to reach this high position that the country deserves,” according to him.

He added that the aviation sector in the UAE, with its superb infrastructure and services, has become hugely attractive and is qualified to play a key role in steering the global aviation industry. He praised the efforts of the staff of GCAA, and relevant authorities within the aviation safety sector, hoping the hard work and achievements will continue.

Shaikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Transport, commented on the news and emphasized that the grand achievement by the civil aviation sector in the UAE is another top accomplishment for the country which it deserves. He stressed that the people of UAE are capable of achieving more success in the future through continued efforts that we can be proud of, “international recognition is a motivation for the UAE’s transportation sector and other industry sectors to continue to work hard for the county to progress and grow further.”

Sir Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline, said: “In the aviation industry, safety must always be the number one priority. Emirates congratulates the GCAA for their outstanding work in this regard, and their commitment to safety in civil aviation. The latest ICAO audit results are a strong endorsement of the quality and standard of aviation in the UAE.”

James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “The ICAO report reflects the significant contribution of the UAE’s aviation industry in regards to safety developments. At Etihad Airways safety is, and always will be, our number one priority. We are looking forward to continuing to work with the GCAA to maintain and enhance safety standards in the aviation sector.”