The UAE aviation industry's contribution to national GDP now stands at a massive 15 to 20 per cent, according to a top government official. The news comes as the country starts negotiations for yet more traffic rights to the UK, Japan, Korea, Egypt and other Arab countries. However, the government may not allow private airlines to operate scheduled flights in the short to medium term.
"The UAE has become the region's aviation hub in which our national carriers are playing a significant part," Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Communications, told the media on Saturday. The country recorded 60,967 overflights and 10,135 domestic aircraft movements. The UAE's aviation industry recorded 67 per cent growth in nine years.
Al Mansouri was presiding over a meeting of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) that approved its budget of Dh98 million. The federal government body that regulates the UAE's aerospace and aviation industry also made Dh26 million in operating profits.
"We are currently negotiating with a number of countries including the UK, Japan, Korea, Egypt and other Arab countries to increase traffic rights for our national carriers," he said. The UAE currently has three national carriers Etihad, Emirates and Air Arabia and permission has been granted by the Cabinet for a fourth national carrier, Al Hamra, to take off next year.
The UAE's airlines have 220 aircraft registered. Next year the GCAA is scheduled to register 31 new aircraft as all three carriers are expanding their fleets rapidly. Dubai-based Emirates, the fastest growing airline in the world, has 81 aircraft in its fleet and has more than 130 aircraft on order. Mohammad Ghanem Al Gaith, GCAA director-general, said, the country is allowing private players to operate non-scheduled charter flights. (The Gulf News)
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