DOHA: As part of efforts to address the issue of growing airspace congestion in the region, the GCC states are in the process of hiring a specialised firm to study the unification of aviation regulations, a Jeddah-based English daily reports.
“The study stems from a long- term plan to unify aviation regulations. Many efforts were made in the past to address congestions on air routes and put in place a common system to provide quality aviation services,” Arab News said, quoting Saif Al Suwaidi, Director- General, General Civil Aviation Authority, UAE.
Al Suwaidi said the European experience under Europe’s ‘Eurocontrol’ system points towards the fact that air traffic and aviation services have greatly improved compared to the past 20 before European countries agreed on unified aviation regulations.
He said the GCC is thinking to put in place a long-term plan that will lead to the unification of aviation regulations, or the unified virtual airspace of member states.
He said the study was thoroughly considered and a consultative firm has been selected to draft and explain coordination and harmonisation of Gulf airspace.
Referring to challenges facing Gulf airspace, Al Suwaidi said the biggest challenge is poor infrastructure in some countries, not only Gulf countries, due to air traffic from east and west Europe for which Gulf countries have become a passage. “Insufficient and poor aviation infrastructure in some countries cause planes to stay stuck and remain for longer periods in GCC countries,” he said. The Peninsula
