GCAA opens a new licensing office at Emirates Airline

The MoU was signed by Captain Khalid Humaid Al Ali, Director of Licensing at GCAA, and Captain Alan Stealey, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President Flight Operations, in the attendance of Ismaeil Mohammed Al Balooshi, Director Aviation Safety at the GCAA, Mrs. Eman Al Mesafri, Head of Admin and Exam at GCAA, Adel Al Redha, Executive Vice-President Engineering and Operations, Terry Daly, Divisional Senior Vice-President Service Delivery, and a number of Emirates and GCAA staff. 
This strategic partnership, which is considered to be the first of its kind in the UAE, demonstrates GCAA’s support and commitment towards the emerging aviation industry in the UAE and their role in meeting the growing demands of air traffic and expansion of national carriers. 
“One of our fundamental priorities at GCAA is contributing to the growth of the aviation sector in the country and enabling its national carriers. This is embodied in our continuous efforts to provide them with the best, world-renewed solutions and innovative services to ensure they maintain the highest standards of aviation safety and security,” said Captain Al Ali. 
“Our licensing administration at the GCAA had always been actively planning and incorporating new programs to benefit our strategic partners and the aviation industry in the long run, which includes the inauguration of our new office at Emirates, the launch of our electronic service that issues medical certificates online, and the trial services of pilot and cabin crew licensing,” he added. 
“The opening of the new licensing office at our headquarters is a great testament to our strong partnership with GCAA. We have no doubt that it will give our employees, whether they are pilots or cabin crew, a more cohesive, seamless experience when issuing their licenses,” said Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ Executive Vice President Engineering and Operations. “Emirates extends our sincere thanks to the GCAA for their efforts in establishing this licensing office which will support Emirates’ rapidly-expanding fleet and growing workforce.” 
The licensing administration at GCAA currently serves more than 50,000 employees working in the aviation sector including pilots, air traffic controllers, aircraft engineers, and cabin crew members as well as those who seek medical aviation licenses. 
This initiative aims to simplify the licensing process for Emirates’ pilots and cabin crew, making it easier for them to issue their licenses and complete all procedures at their workplace instead of visiting the GCAA. Although the new office provides licensing services only, it might offer joint services in the future. 
“Our new office at Emirates will be operated by highly qualified staff, capable of providing high-quality services while adopting GCAA’s management and user system. As part of our strategic partnership, Emirates Airline had been given the authorization in January 2012 to give pilots regulated exams,” said Eman Al Mesafri, Head of Admin and Exam at GCAA. 
Emirates currently serves 121 destinations around the globe with a young and technologically advanced fleet of 169 wide-bodied aircraft that are equipped with industry-leading comforts in the air. Additionally, Emirates has 236 wide-bodied aircraft on order, worth more than US$84 billion, and is the leading customer of the Airbus A380, with 20 in its fleet and 70 on order.