Dubai: The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) hosted the Strategic Civil Aviation Retreat under the theme 'Leading the Future of Aviation' at the Etihad Museum in Dubai. The event brought together over 70 senior leaders, officials, and industry experts from the civil aviation sector, spearheaded by Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the GCAA.
According to Emirates News Agency, the retreat saw participation from notable figures such as Eng. Salem Butti Salem Al Qubaisi, Director-General of the UAE Space Agency; Mohammed Abdulla Lengawi, Director-General of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority; Ali Salem Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah International Airport Authority; and other key representatives from airlines and aviation-related entities. These included leaders from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub, Strata Manufacturing, Emirates Group, Air Arabia, Etihad Airways, and flydubai.
In his opening remarks, Al Suwaidi highlighted the crucial role of the civil aviation sector in economic and developmental growth. He emphasized that the sector's impact extends beyond air transport to include industrial development, human capital, and technological advancement. He pointed out that the UAE's aviation sector has been instrumental in positioning the country as a global benchmark for excellence and reliability. To maintain this stature, he stressed the need for a dynamic regulatory framework that adapts to sector needs, encourages growth, and bolsters strategic partnerships.
The retreat featured a strategic presentation by Eng. Yousuf Hashim Al Azizi, Assistant Director-General for Strategy and International Affairs at the GCAA. He outlined the sector's strategic pillars, which align with the UAE Vision 2031, the UAE Centennial 2071, national development priorities, ICAO regulations, and emerging global trends. The presentation emphasized the generation of practical initiatives aimed at enhancing competitiveness, fostering innovation, supporting sustainable growth, and strengthening national human capital.
Participants engaged in three thematic workshops focusing on the sector's strategic priorities: 'Sustainable Economic Growth,' led by Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi; 'Talent Enablement and Human Capital,' led by Omar bin Ghalib, Deputy Director-General of the GCAA; and 'Digital Transformation and Innovation,' led by Ahmed Khalifa Al Houqani, Chief AI Officer at the GCAA.
The retreat concluded with a consensus to advance a series of joint initiatives, developed from the discussions, to be implemented in the next phase. These initiatives are expected to further solidify the UAE's status as a leading global hub for civil aviation.