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Abu Dhabi /Â WAM
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) paid visit on Wednesday to the Etihad Airways Innovation Hub in Abu Dhabi in the presence of Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy.
He was accompanied by Omar bin Ghaleb, GCAA’s Deputy Director-General and Assistant Director of Support Services, Laila Ali bin Hareb Al Muhairi, GCAA’s Assistant Director-General of Strategy and International Affairs, Ismail Mohammed Al Blooshi, Assistant Director-General of Aviation Safety Affairs, Hamad Salem Al Muhairi, Assistant Director-General for Aviation Security Affairs, and a number of RTA employees.
Al Mansouri said, “The aviation sector is imperative for the progress and economy of the UAE and it requires a great variety of innovation methods. The process of sustainable innovation is essential to provide the best practice and quality of services and products at present and for the future.”
The objective of the visit was to learn about the innovation lifecycle in Etihad Airways. The visit to the Innovation Hub is part of the series of innovation visits that Chairman and GCAA are conducting in the upcoming years in order to learn about best practices, encourage and motivate as well as learn and share knowledge with the aviation sector throughout all emirates.
Etihad Airways holds a pro-competitive model when it comes to all aspects of the airlines strategy including maintaining jobs, routes, safety, partnership and innovation.
He added, “We are here to learn about the best local practices and experiences in the field of innovation. We are keen to share knowledge and understand the services in the fields of training and safety procedures as well as products and services intended for aircraft.”
The Innovation Centre is a research centre of excellence and is also home to Etihad’s Innovation Training Academy which comprises the largest A380 and B787 cabin service and safety trainers in the world. The Innovation Training Academy prepares cabin crew with the skills to deliver the highest level of safety as well as hospitality.
Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of GCAA, said, “The competition in the aviation industry is fierce and we are always seeking to find new ideas, draw inspiration from international best practices as we as develop and innovate services, products and training.”
The delegation toured the centre and learned about Etihad Airways’ world-class training mock-up, innovative services and products such as the real life mock-ups of the Residence by Etihad and the new First Apartments and First Suites as well as inflight live TV network.
Laila Ali bin Hareb Al Muhairi, GCAA’s Assistant Director-General of Strategy and International Affairs, said, “The UAE aviation industry is in need of providing an environment that nurtures and cultivates innovation, and these kind of innovation centres provide the right platform to collaborate and develop new opportunities, while challenging current standards and aiming for excellence. Competing in aviation is based on innovation, and you have to be an
innovator to do so.”
GCAA has a number of projects and initiatives to encourage and stimulate the UAE aviation industry’s innovation efforts. In November, GCAA is organising the Aviation Innovation Week which will include conferences, workshops, training and diploma courses.
At the end of the tour, the Minister of Economy and the accompanying delegation expressed their satisfaction at visiting Etihad’s Innovation Centre, and for understanding the innovative products and services. This visit, as well as upcoming tours around the country, will strengthen the collaboration and relations between the GCAA and the stakeholders.