The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) conducted a strategic retreat for civil aviation titled “Leading the Future of Aviation” at the Etihad Museum in Dubai. The event featured the presence of Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, the Director General of the authority, along with more than 70 distinguished leaders, officials, and experts from the industry.
Attendees included Saleem Bati Al Qubaisi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency; Mohammad Abdullah Al Lanjawi, Director General of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority; Ali Salem Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah International Airport Authority; Tahnoon Saif, Executive Director of the Mohammed bin Rashid Aviation Program; Sarah Al Amri, Acting CEO of Strata Manufacturing; and Ahmed Safa, Senior Vice President of Emirates for Engineering Support Services, among others. Several officials and experts from national airlines also participated in the gathering.
In his opening speech, Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi emphasized the immense potential of the UAE’s aviation sector to create extensive economic and developmental opportunities. He noted that this potential extends beyond air transport, encompassing various industries, workforce development, embracing technology, and fostering innovation across different aspects of the sector.
Al Suwaidi remarked on the success of the UAE’s aviation sector in establishing the nation as a global brand recognized for excellence and reliability in the aviation industry, reflecting the esteemed reputation the country holds on the international stage. He indicated that sustaining and enhancing these achievements requires a proactive and flexible approach at all levels, which includes continuous legislative development through the review and update of laws and regulations, enhancing infrastructure, accelerating digital and technological transformation, and ensuring alignment with both current and future demands to support sustainable industry growth. Moreover, he highlighted the critical importance of developing and strengthening strategic partnerships to create added value and mutual benefits for the national sector.
During the retreat, Engineer Yousef Hashim Al-Azizi, the Assistant Director General for Strategy and International Affairs at the authority, delivered a presentation outlining key strategic pillars for the civil aviation sector, which are based on the targets set by the “We are the Emirates” 2031 vision, the UAE Centennial 2071, relevant national strategies, as well as initiatives and policies from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and global future trends. Al-Azizi noted that the authority aims for the outcomes of this retreat to yield practical results that boost sector competitiveness, support innovation and sustainable growth, and develop human capital to adapt to upcoming changes while aligning with the strategic aviation goals of the nation.
The first workshop, titled “Sustaining Economic Growth,” was led by Saif Al Suwaidi. He emphasized the need to enhance the aviation sector’s contribution to the GDP, diversify business models and investments, support small and medium-sized enterprises, attract both local and foreign investments, and explore promising economic opportunities. He also advocated for sharing best practices aimed at reducing operational costs and improving the sector’s efficiency. Al Suwaidi highlighted the substantial role of the aviation sector in bolstering the national economy, noting its current contribution of around 4.4 million tons of air cargo and approximately 18% of the GDP, with expectations of rapid growth in these numbers in the near future.
The second workshop, “Empowering Talent and Human Capital,” was managed by Omar Bin Ghalib, Deputy Director General of the authority. Discussions focused on addressing skill gaps in the aviation sector, training and developing national workforce capabilities, preparing personnel for future roles, enhancing the sector’s job attractiveness, and exploring opportunities for academic and specialized grants. The significance of investing in human capital to ensure the ongoing competitiveness of the sector and its capacity to tackle future challenges was underscored.
The third workshop, “Digital Transformation and Innovation,” was directed by Ahmed Al-Hawqani, Chief Executive Officer of Artificial Intelligence at the authority. This session discussed ways to leverage modern technologies and artificial intelligence to enhance services and digital infrastructures, while showcasing best practices from both local and international contexts. A comprehensive vision for advancing a smart aviation ecosystem in the country was also established.