The UAE’s aviation sector has observed “UAE Civil Aviation Day”, which falls on 5th of October each year, marking the anniversary of the first airplane landing in the UAE, specifically in the Emirate of Sharjah, on the same day in 1932.
The runway for the airplane landing was prepared in the Al Qasimia area of Sharjah in 1930, making it the first airport established in the Arabian Gulf region at that time.
Over 90 years later, the UAE’s civil aviation sector leads numerous global competitiveness indicators, surpassing many developed nations. The country boasts six national carriers renowned for luxury, quality, security, and safety. During the first eight months of this year, our national carriers operated 4,807 weekly flights to numerous destinations around the world.
In addition, the UAE has 10 airports, including 8 international airports ranked among the best and busiest in the world. These airports welcomed more than 97.9 million passengers in the first eight months of this year, reflecting a growth rate of 12.6 percent, compared to 86.9 million passengers during the same period last year.
Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri UAE Minister of Economy, Chairman – GCAA
“UAE Civil Aviation Day represents an opportunity to celebrate the vision of our wise leadership, which has positioned the UAE at the forefront of the world in the aviation sector. This sector today serves as a fundamental pillar of national economic growth and enhances its competitiveness regionally and internationally. Additionally, this vital sector has played a key role in establishing the UAE as a bridge for connecting with global markets.”
The UAE is globally recognized for the rapid growth of its aviation infrastructure, which accounted for less than 1 percent of the GDP at the founding of the country in 1971, while today the sector contributes up to 13.3 percent of the GDP. According to estimates from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the air transport market in the UAE is expected to grow by 170 percent over the next twenty years, resulting in an addition of 101 million passenger flights by 2037. This growth will also support the national economy by contributing approximately $127.7 billion and will create 1.4 million jobs.
Bin Touq added that, “Our national efforts are ongoing in developing the aviation industry in the country, relying on innovation, sustainability, and the best global practices in this regard. We aim to provide high-quality services in the transportation, travel, and logistics sectors, contributing to enhancing the country’s global standing as a major hub for air transport, in line with the targets of the “We the UAE 2031” vision.”
H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, and a member of the Board of Directors of the GCAA, stated that, “The aviation sector in the UAE is a vital artery connecting us to the world, with Dubai International Airport standing as a global model for growth and quality. The airport serves over 90 million international passengers annually, and through our partnerships with global airlines, we strive to enhance air connectivity between the UAE and countries around the world. Today, we celebrate our achievements, which would not have been possible without the visionary leadership of our wise government. We remain committed to delivering excellence to ensure the UAE’s continued role as a global hub for civil aviation.”
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Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport – Abu Dhabi, and a member of the Board of Directors of the GCAA, stated that, “This day is an opportunity to celebrate what we have achieved in the civil aviation sector in Abu Dhabi and the UAE as a whole. The country today boasts an infrastructure that ranks among the best in the world, with Zayed International Airport serving as a world-class example of modern airport design.”
Sheikh Khalid Bin Isam Al Qasmi. Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Civil Aviation and a member of the Board of Directors of the GCAA, commented that, “We take pride in the pivotal role played by the Emirate of Sharjah in enhancing the UAE’s civil aviation sector, as the emirate is historically significant for being the site of the first aircraft landing in the country. Today, Sharjah International Airport stands as a key hub in the air transport network of the UAE and the region as a whole. Efforts are ongoing to invest in expansion projects for the infrastructure, supporting our future vision and enhancing the airport’s capacity to accommodate growth in air traffic. On this national day, we reaffirm our shared vision to achieve leadership and innovation in the aviation sector and to enhance the UAE’s position as a leading destination in the world of aviation.”
Mohammed Abdullah Al Salami, Chairman of the Department of Civil Aviation in Fujairah, and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the GCAA, stressed that, “UAE Civil Aviation Day is an occasion to celebrate our achievements and the sector’s ability to overcome many challenges, as well as to consider the promising opportunities that the future holds for this vital sector. We take pride in the Emirate of Fujairah for having Fujairah International Airport, which is the only airport on the eastern coast of the country and a safe haven for national and foreign carriers during adverse weather conditions. We are continuously working on further development to enhance the airport’s efficiency and improve its services to meet the anticipated growth in air traffic over the coming years.”
Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the General Civil Aviation Authority GCAA, expressed that, “On UAE Civil Aviation Day, we celebrate numerous success stories that have laid the foundation for this thriving sector, whether in the development of airport infrastructure or the competitive reputation of our national carriers, along with the growing network of international relations. The country ranks first globally in the number of air transport agreements, having signed 189 air cooperation agreements so far, which represents more than 90 percent of the countries in the world.”
