GCAA and the Flight Safety Foundation to host Middle East Civil Aviation Safety Summit 2008 in Abu Dhabi

The Summit, which brings together senior aviation officials from local, regional and international aviation authorities and air carriers, will focus primarily on the introduction of a new aviation safety plan of action under the recently introduced Global Aviation Safety Road Map, a joint initiative of the International Safety Strategy Group, (ISSG).

Members of the Group include ICAO, IATA, Airbus, Boeing, ACI, CANSO, IFALPA and the FSF. The Summit will be attended by key players in the aviation industry including members of the ISSG, Arab Civil Aviation Commission and the Arab Air Carriers Organization.

With the aviation industry expanding at unprecedented levels in the Middle East and the industry establishing itself as a major player in international civil aviation, the Summit aims to introduce a Regional Plan of Action, under the Global Safety Roadmap to governments and industry and to help develop an expansive overview of the state of aviation safety in the region.

'The Summit will reflect the increasing importance of global aviation safety, considering the new and emerging challenges facing civil aviation and the necessity to establish strong partnerships between the industry and regulators,'

said Mohammed Ghanim Al Ghaith, GCAA Director General.

'We are very delighted to hold such an important and prestigious event in the UAE. In order to continue enhancing the safety of global aviation we must continue refining common standards, regulations and safety procedures. It is to realize this vision that we join forces at the highest levels of government and private sector to share the experience and lessons learned in the development of safety standards and practices,' the Director General stated.

The International Aviation Safety Summit will host over 150 senior industry and government officials from more than 20 countries in the Region, as well as international and regional organizations. Other aviation regulatory agencies outside the region have also expressed an interest in attending the Summit.

'In addition to the initiation of regional Plan of Action under the Global Road Map, one of the key objectives of the Summit is to help draft a blue print for similar initiatives in other regions around the world,' said William Voss, President and CEO of the Flight Safety Foundation. 'This Summit further affirms the UAE's commitment and leadership in the field of aviation safety,' added Voss.