Aviation Spotlight Falls on Dubai and ATC Global 2015

A round up of this year's exhibition & conference

LONDON, Oct. 21, 2015 /CNW/ - High level delegations and representatives from the global air traffic management, airport, airline and wider aviation community met in Dubai for the 25^th annual ATC Global Exhibition and Conference on 5-7 October.

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The event was organised with full support from local stakeholders including the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Dubai Air Navigation Services (DANS), Dubai Airports and Emirates Airline and is the only large-scale event dedicated to air traffic control to have taken place in the region.  

"Operating the event from Dubai this year is considered an important strategic move for the global aviation sector. ATC Global has provided a unique platform for ATM professionals from across the globe to engage and collaborate on shaping the future of the ATM sector in the region and beyond." Nils Svan, Vice President Strategy, Dubai Air Navigation Services.

The event opened on UAE Civil Aviation Day, which commemorates the advances that the aviation sector has made to the UAE economy (with traffic doubling every ten years at current rates) from its onset of humble beginnings dating back to the first airplane that landed in Al Mahatta Airport in Sharjah on 5 October 1932.

Opened by His Excellency Mohammed Abdulla Ahli, Director General, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority; CEO, Dubai Air Navigation Services and Sir Tim Clark, Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Airline the event stressed the importance of collaboration as a key factor in providing safe and efficient ATM frameworks to allow for continued growth.

 "In order to sustain its unparalleled safety reputation, keep pace with growth, and maximise efficiency while minimising adverse effects on the environment, the aviation industry must increase collaboration within and across industry sectors, irrespective of national or regional boundaries," said Stephen Creamer, the Director of the Air Navigation Bureau at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in an opening address at the conference.

 "With aviation growing globally at between 4 and 7% annually, and with growth not just coming from aircraft like the Airbus A380, pressure on the ATM system is going to increase," said Sir Tim Clark, CEO, Emirates Airline.  Governments will need to consider the importance of ATM in their overall growth plans so that they can ensure that air navigation service providers work with their neighbours to develop systems and procedures to allow for future growth.

His Excellency Mohammed Abdulla Ahli and Sir Tim Clark were joined at the event by industry professionals from 116 countries including influencers Paul Griffths, Dubai Airports; Frank Brenner, EUROCONTROL and Director General's from each continent.

A hosted buyer programme delivered active buyers from Latin America, Africa, Middle East and Asia, facilitating meetings between decision-makers from sought after ANSPs and international exhibitors. International exhibitors met with 14 ANSPs with combined investment plans exceeding $300 million USD, arranging between 300-400 meetings across the three days.  

Many of these VIPS alongside conference speakers and delegates took part in an organised tour of the Dubai Air Navigation Services Facilities at Maktoum International Airport on 4^th October and VIP Gala Dinner sponsored by DANS on the evening of 5^th October.

On the show floor, ATC Global witnessed launches, product demonstrations, contract signings and awards presentations with EUROCONTROL and DECEA Brazil signing an agreement to enhance cooperation in the areas of capacity management and operational flight data exchange between the two regions; Thales signing a contract to implement its latest ATM automation systems for the Shanghai Metroplex air space;  Selex ES showcasing its new LeadInSky latest generation ATC system and  GAL ANS Training Centre selected by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as an ICAO Regional Training Centre of Excellence (RTCE) in the authorised areas of Air Navigation Services.

Popular free-to-attend educational workshops and seminars also took place on the show floor led by SESAR JU, Frequentis AG, EUROCONTROL, Helios, Think Research, MicroNav and other leading organisations. They explored topics including aircraft satellite communications, surveillance, remote towers, The Middle East ATM Enhancement Programme (MAEP) and ATM in Africa.

Following the success of this year's event ATC Global 2016 will return to Beijing next year on 12-14 September with a view of running again in Dubai in the future.  

About ATC Global (http://www.atcglobalhub.com)

• ATC Global is the place for the international ATM community to do business 
• ATC Global is a three day event comprising a world-leading exhibition, high-level conference, hosted buyer scheme, networking receptions and an extensive free educational programme
• Founded in 1990, the event unites industry stakeholders from across the globe with the purpose of sharing information, knowledge and expertise. It brings buyers and sellers of ATC equipment and services together in an environment conducive to conducting business

About UBM EMEA  

UBM EMEA connects people and creates opportunities for companies across five continents to develop new business, meet customers, launch new products, promote their brands and expand their markets. Through premier brands such as Routes, CPhI, IFSEC, Ecobuild, Seatrade, and many others, UBM EMEA exhibitions, conferences, awards programs, publications, websites and training and certification programs are an integral part of the marketing plans of companies across seven industry sectors.

About Emirates 

It is the largest airline in the Middle East, operating over 3,500 flights per week from its hub at Dubai International Airport, to more than 142 cities in 78 countries across six continents. Cargo activities are undertaken by the Emirates Group's Emirates SkyCargo division.

The airline ranks among the top ten carriers worldwide in terms of passenger kilometres, and has become the largest airline in the Middle East in terms of revenue, fleet size, and passengers carried as of 2007. As of 2014, the airline is the fourth-largest airline in the world in terms of international passengers carried and third largest in terms of scheduled passenger-kilometres flown. The airline is also the third-largest in terms of scheduled freight tonne-kilometres flown. The company also operates four of the world's longest non-stop commercial flights from Dubai to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston.

About UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) 

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was established in 1996 by Federal Cabinet Decree (Law 4) to regulate civil aviation and provide designated aviation services with emphasis on safety and security and to strengthen the aviation industry within the UAE and its upper airspace. The main office is located in Abu Dhabi and the regional office is located in Dubai to serve the northern Emirates.

The GCAA, which is the sole authority for the control and regulation of civil aviation in the UAE, is responsible for the provision of en-route air navigation services and all aspects of flight safety. In late 2009, the GCAA opened its new Air Navigation Centre, The Sheikh Zayed Centre, which is considered the largest and busiest air traffic management facility in the Middle East as well as one of the world's most technically advanced centres in terms of its design.

About Dubai Air Navigation Services (DANS) 

Dubai Air Navigation Services (DANS) is the air navigation services provider for both the Dubai and Northern Emirates airspace.

Successfully providing air navigation services since 1967, DANS is a newly independent air navigation services provider, which contributes through its operations to the phenomenal rapid growth of the aviation sector in the UAE in general, and Dubai in particular.

Chaired by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, DANS plays a crucial and significant role in the management of Dubai's and the Northern Emirates airspace.

DANS is utilizing innovative technologies, implementing cutting edge solutions and engaging prominent industry expertise in its operations to safely and efficiently cater to the continuously growing air traffic capacity in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

SOURCE UBM EMEA

Notes to editors: For further information, images or to request an interview regarding the release, please contact: Paula Milburn, ATC Global Event Director, t: [phone], e: [email protected]; Annelise Quinton, Marketing Manager, t: [phone], e: [email protected]