MUSTAFA ABDEL AZIM (DUBAI)
In 2012, the UAE launched the general environmental policy for the civil aviation sector, which stipulated the reduction of the impact of civil aviation emissions on climate change. The policy focused on implementing environmental laws and regulations, encouraging strategic partners to regularly report on their environmental performance, among other practices that have enhanced the concept of taking environmental impact into consideration in the UAE’s aviation sector.
Since that point, all entities in the sector, led by the General Civil Aviation Authority, local departments, national carriers, and airports, have worked to align with the national strategy for climate neutrality by 2050 in recognition of the importance of sustainability and the desire to chart a new environmentally friendly course for the aviation industry.
Among these numerous and tangible initiatives is the “UAE Free Airspace” project, launched by the General Civil Aviation Authority a few months ago. This transformative project aims to enhance the efficiency of air navigation, optimise the use of resources and energy, and employ modern air traffic management techniques.
While the global aviation sector’s share of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions ranges between only 2 to 3%, the International Civil Aviation Organisation made the sector’s first steps towards sustainability in 2016 by adopting a plan to offset and reduce carbon emissions.
At COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland in 2021, the world witnessed the first meeting of an international alliance to achieve the aviation sector’s climate ambition, during which the sector’s responsibility for climate change, both in terms of carbon dioxide emissions and other pollutants, was recognised. Furthering its efforts, the International Civil Aviation Organisation reaffirmed its commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050 at COP27, held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, last year.
Reducing Carbon Emissions
The “UAE Free Airspace” project makes the UAE the first country in the Middle East to apply such an initiative. The project aims to improve the efficiency of air navigation in the country and provides freedom of movement for transit aircraft without the restrictions that accompany typical air routes.
Over 55,000 flights are expected to benefit from the project’s implementation at altitudes of 36,000 feet and above. By allowing for greater flexibility in the country’s airspace, aircraft will fly for fewer miles and will consume less fuel. The project is anticipated to achieve annual operations savings of over Dh50 million for airlines, in addition to reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the UAE’s skies.
In 2017, the UAE’s airspace was the first in the world to fully transition to performance-based navigation through the use of RNAV-1/GNSS satellite navigation specifications.
Quality Projects for the Future
The launch of this transformative project aligns with the UAE’s Year of Sustainability and the upcoming COP28 conference, to be hosted in Expo City Dubai. Such transformative projects, which are currently being implemented in a multitude of sectors, are intended to make a tangible impact within a short time frame.
This particular project strengthens the General Civil Aviation Authority’s commitment to national priorities and the UAE’s new government working methodology, in line with the broader concept of transformative projects, aiming to drive the country’s next ten years of development.
The project closely aligns with the country’s comprehensive strategy to ensure quality and intensified efforts for the benefit of all sectors.
The number of flights benefitting from the project will continuously increase, according to the Authority’s expectations of increased air traffic in the coming years. The project’s implementation phases also are expected to incorporate a new user segment, making it attractive for all airlines.Improving Flight Efficiency
In addition to the environmental benefits, companies can expect to benefit from reduced fuel costs and improved flight efficiency, enhancing financial performance, boosting the economy, and enhancing quality of life.
The project is the first step of a broader, comprehensive plan to implement Free Airspace on a wider scale through carefully considered stages.
When the project is applied on a broader scale in neighbouring countries, connecting the Gulf and regional navigation network, maximum economic and environmental benefits will be achieved. The project comes at an important time for the industry, after the Authority completed its airspace restructuring plan in 2017 to continue improvements to the sector, ensure smooth air traffic, and accommodate the expected traffic increases in coming years. Through the UAE Free Airspace Project, the country is demonstrating its ability to be a leader in the aviation sector, in addition to its commitment to achieving development through advanced techniques, which provide a UAE-based model to be followed in global contexts.
Steadily Increasing Air Traffic
In light of the steady increase in air traffic and current national airport expansion projects, the UAE’s national carriers are working to expand available destinations for travelers and are investing in increasing their fleets.
Given the steady increase in air traffic in the Middle East region, it was imperative to increase the country’s airspace capacity in tandem to ensure the consolidate the country’s position as a regional and international aviation destination.
On average, there are over 2,500 air traffic movements through UAE airspace every day. According to preliminary estimates, there are expected to be 900,000 total movements by the end of the year, exceeding pre-pandemic levels by over 10%.
Updated Air Navigation Services
Due to the projected increases in air traffic, the General Civil Aviation Authority has initiated new plans to modernise air navigation by employing the latest advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain technology to achieve a high level of safety, efficiency, and accuracy, and to increase the airspace’s capacity.
This initiative is not only expected to improve air navigation, but also represents a leap in service delivery, data analysis, and innovative solutions to future challenges.
Human resource development in specialised jobs and increasing localisation rates also constitutes a central axis in the industry’s future investment plans. The UAE and its wise leadership believe that human capital is the most important resource, and the real key to sustaining growth. Therefore, skill-building projects will receive a great deal of focus in the future of development in the sector.
Furthermore, in the next decade, over Dh700 million will be invested to develop and modernise the air navigation services at the Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Centre, with a focus on adopting advanced technology, improving infrastructure, investing in human resources, enhancing Emiratisation, and establishing an Air Navigation Innovation Centre.
This important programme to develop the backbone of the national civil aviation infrastructure will provide a significant leap in the quality of the UAE’s air navigation services.
Furthermore, the Authority plans to launch an Innovation Centre for Air Traffic Management in the UAE, which will deepen partnerships with local and global academic institutions and strategic partners, and develop national research and development capabilities through relying on advanced technology and innovative solutions to ensure future preparations.
Pillar of National Growth
Under the wise vision and guidance of the country’s leadership, the history of the UAE’s aviation industry is marked by growth, development, and progress, and the sector now contributes around 13% of the national GDP.
As a fundamental pillar of national growth, the industry has established itself as a major point of connection between the East and the West. The UAE is also home to some of the busiest airports in the world, and several leading global airlines.
With strategic developments, investments, and an intense focus on adopting and advanced technology in all operations and services, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has forecast that the sector will grow 170% by 2037, supporting 1.4 million job opportunities compared to the current 777,000, and contributing $128 billion to the country’s economy.