MORE THAN 1.4 MILLION PASSENGERS SERVED AT UAE AIRPORTS FROM MARCH 1 TO 12

ABU DHABI, March 14 (Bernama-WAM) -- The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said air traffic in the country is gradually returning to normal operational levels following its management of recent exceptional regional circumstances.

The Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported that this was achieved through carefully planned operational and regulatory measures that ensured passenger safety while maintaining air transport operations.

Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Board of the GCAA, said the UAE managed the situation responsibly under the guidance of its leadership, prioritising safety while ensuring the aviation sector continued meeting travellers’ needs.

 “The safety of passengers, pilots, flight crews and all personnel working in the aviation sector remains the absolute priority in all decisions related to airspace and flight operations.

“Despite the exceptional circumstances witnessed in the region in recent days, the UAE ensured the balanced management of air traffic through operating limited flights via approved contingency routes, ensuring the continuity of travel in line with the highest safety standards,” he said.

He noted that operational indicators reflect the success of these efforts, as more than 1.4 million passengers were served at the country’s airports between March 1 and 12, reflecting the ability of the UAE’s aviation system to efficiently manage different circumstances while maintaining smooth passenger movement.

He affirmed that the UAE aviation sector is steadily moving towards restoring normal operational levels, supported by ongoing coordination with sector partners, neighbouring countries and regional and international partners to ensure safe and efficient air traffic.

For his part, Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the GCAA, affirmed that the UAE’s air transport system continues to operate with high efficiency to ensure the continuity of travel and passenger services, within an organised operational plan that takes into account operational developments as well as safety and security requirements.

He explained that 7,839 air traffic movements were recorded in UAE airspace between March 1 and 12, reflecting the success of ongoing efforts to gradually and systematically restore air traffic operations.

Al Suwaidi added that UAE national carriers have begun restoring a significant portion of their operations, with indicators showing that the total operational activity of UAE national carriers reached approximately 44.6 per cent of overall operational levels that existed before the current tensions, reflecting the ability of UAE airlines to gradually return to normal flight operations.

The GCAA also expressed its appreciation for the cooperation of travellers and their commitment to the guidance and instructions issued by the relevant authorities, which contributed to maintaining smooth passenger movement across airports during this period.

The authority also called on travellers to follow the latest updates issued by airlines and verify the status and timing of their flights before heading to airports, helping facilitate travel procedures and avoid unnecessary waiting times.

-- BERNAMA-WAM