General Civil Aviation Authority confirms senior Emirati appointment

This appointment of a prominent female figure in the UAE underscores the country's intention to expand aggressively into the global aviation regulation sector through an innovative and 'no barrier' approach.

Aside from being the first Emirati and woman to be nominated at such a critical role, Aysha Al Hamili is also the first lady and the youngest representative in the ICAO Council. She is an established motivational figure among Emirati woman following her achievement in becoming the first commercially licensed female pilot at the Royal Jordanian Air Academy in 2000.

"Aysha brings with along the necessary skills required to successfully push forward the UAE's role on the regulatory and decisions making side of the global aviation platform," said Saif Mohammed al Suwaidi, Director General of the GCAA.

Suwaidi added,

"We are proud to welcome her to this critical post given her diverse aviation background academically and on job experience that covers the fields of flight operations, safety and security, air services negotiations on national and international level, and lead high level meetings of a diplomatic nature."

In recent years, the UAE has achieved significant success on both the commercial and advisory segments of the global aviation circle through the unprecedented efforts of the GCAA in renewing, monitoring and adapting local air operations and raising air service safety and quality standards.

One of these achievements was the UAE's winning of a seat, by the GCAA, to the member council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation in 2007.

The country has since worked closely with the ICAO and regional aviation authorities to advance existing air systems and operations, adopt international aviation safety standards and programs and focus on safety measures to reduce the loss of human life that is inherent to air operations.

"It is without a doubt one of the key's achievements in my life and a great honour for me to be entrusted with such a crucial position," said Captain Aysha Al Hamili . "I believe my experience in representing the UAE on the international arena for the purpose of expanding the UAE traffic rights entitlements and air services opportunities for our national air carriers has created a strong base for me to move forward from."

Captain Al Hamili added: "I will endeavor to increase the position and responsibility of the UAE among leading global aviation organizations and showcase the country's continuous achievements in developing unified quality air operations for a nation that has grown so rapidly within a short span of time."

Despite her many achievements, Captain Al Hamili is still pursuing higher educational and training opportunities for herself indicating her approach to continuously strive towards increased improvement and higher goals.

In addition to her portfolio of achievements and responsibilities, Captain Al Hamili is currently a member of the following activities that are defining the Air Transport structure in UAE to support national carriers in the expansion of their operational and commercial network:
1. Head of Air Transport Working Group which drafted the UAE Air Transport Policy- Principles Managing Traffic Rights
2. UAE Representative in the Air Transport Committee in the Arab Civil Aviation Commission (ACAC)
3. UAE Representative in the Air Transport Committee for the Gulf Country Council (GCC)

"We are confident that through her appointment the UAE will play an increased role in assisting other aviation bodies to raise air operation standards and implement safety management practices to minimize the risk inherent to global air travel," concluded Suwaidi.