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Foreign Operators Affairs

Legislation and Authorizations:

  • Propose, implement, and enforce rules, requirements, directives, and guidance material, in line with the UAE Civil Aviation Law, for regulating foreign civil aviation operations and aircraft dismantling activities, in coordination with Policies Regulations and Planning Department.
  • Ensure authorizations and acceptances for below organizations and/or associated activities in the UAE:
    • Foreign Approved organizations including Air Operators (Commercial), General Aviation and Special Operators (Commercial and non-commercial), Training Organizations carrying out training activities in the UAE for Foreign Approved Air Operators and Foreign Approved Maintenance Organizations carrying out maintenance activities in the UAE on non-UAE registered aircraft.
    • Aircraft Dismantling and Scrapping

Oversight and Enforcement:

  • Conduct technical assessment and surveillance activities to supervise the enforcement of ICAO Annexes and GCAA requirements, including initial acceptances, revoking issued authorizations and taking legal actions.
  • Establish mechanisms for continuous safety data analysis, incorporating ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) findings, international and UAE safety reports, and historical non-compliances to develop an annual risk-based surveillance programme for operators and organizations to address safety risks.
  • Support the State Safety Programme (SSP) implementation and establish Acceptable Levels of Safety Performance (ALOSP) at the organizational level, feeding into the operational plan and annual risk-based surveillance programme.
  • Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to develop action plans to address safety concerns.
  • Investigate and follow up on violations, occurrence and whistleblower reports.
  • Recommend/apply enforcement provisions such as implementing a ban on aircraft, operator, state or grounding of foreign aircraft, when necessary.

Stakeholder and Industry Engagement:

  • Represent the UAE in safety-relevant negotiations regarding foreign civil aviation operations and support international Civil Aviation Authorities (CAAs) in safety-related enforcement actions when foreign aircraft are within UAE jurisdiction.
  • Liaise with international CAAs, UAE Armed Forces, federal bodies, local government entities, and internal departments to address foreign civil aviation activities engaged in military or special operations, and manage foreign aircraft safety accidents/incidents or any related matters under this mandate.
  • Execute safety promotion plans to foster safe practices, enhance safety communication, and cultivate a robust aviation safety culture for organizations involved in foreign civil aviation operations and aircraft dismantling activities in the UAE.
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