The Aviation Safety and Security Department at the GCAA implement the highest international standards to cope with the development, stand-up to the 21st Century challenges and expansion and to ensure constant compliance with the international obligations. A special commendation has been issued praising the professionalism and enthusiasm of the Technical Staff at Air Safety Department. As a principle, Air Safety Department discharges its duties, according to the requirements of GCAA Quality Management System, with the aim to promote the quality of the services provided to the Aviation Sector, including without limitations:

• Certificates and Licenses to Aircrafts Operators and Aircraft Spare Parts Suppliers
  The number of Aircraft Operators operating in the U.A.E has reached 497, while the number of the UAE Air Operators Certificate (AOC) holders has increased to 20. At present there are 3 Air carriers, 17 Air transport Operators, 14 Private operators, 2 Type Rating Training organizations including 15 flight simulators, 5 Flying Training Organizations and 17 foreign flight simulator organizations have been approved by the GCAA. Furthermore, 225 commercial aircrafts have been registered in the U.A.E.
  
  Presently two international maintenance companies are operating in the U.A.E., as well as 43 foreign organizations that are approved for U.A.E. aircrafts maintenance abroad. 12 companies are now approved by GCAA as aircraft spare parts suppliers. 36 companies are approved as dangerous goods transport companies in the U.A.E. where each of them has been awarded an accreditation certificate.

• Issuance of Licenses
  The Aviation Safety and Security Department has so far issued 15,334 flight and cabin crew licenses, including 2306 Airline Transport Pilot’s licenses, 461Commercial Pilot’s licenses, Airline Transport Pilot’s licenses, 72 Flight Engineer licenses , 462 Private Pilot’s licenses, 1 Balloon Flight license, 170 Flight Dispatch licenses, 11863 Cabin crew licenses and 1189 Maintenance Engineers licenses.
  
• Aero-medical
  The Licensing and Aero medical unit has been given an added role to regulate all aero medical activities. The office of Aero Medical has been established at the General Civil Aviation Authority in Dubai for the primary purpose of monitoring the activity of Aero Medical Examiners within the U.A.E. So far a total of more than 6541 medical certificates have already been issued by the unit.

• Investigation on Aircrafts Occurrences & Accidents
  Aircrafts Accidents Investigation Section falls under Air Safety & Flight Security Department. This Section workforce includes experts, technicians and advisors in aircraft accidents. This Section has already investigated more than (70) offenses, (5) occurrences and one accident.
  

Within the GCAA efforts to occupy a leading position on regional level, the Authority has been appointed as a member of Dangerous Goods Experts Committee of International Civil Aviation Organization. Furthermore, the Department has drawn-up a safety mechanism by introducing a certificate award program for granting dangerous goods certificates to ensure the transport of dangerous goods according to highest safety measures.

The Authority issues the necessary licenses to clearing & forwarding agents, handling agents, ground services agents at all U.A.E. airports and to aircraft operators who transport dangerous materials by air. The Authority introduced a system for the identification of the goods intended to be air-freighted, by the packing method, according to chemical definition, potential danger and have them cleared through clear and unquestionable documents. Handling staff should be properly trained on how to handle the same from the date of shipment and until the time of delivery to the consignee.

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) monitors the compliance with the instructions related to dangerous materials shipments, through Airfreight Experts Committee formed of 17 worldwide experts. General Civil Aviation Authority is proud of being selected="true" as a member of such prestigious committee.