Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Airports Company (Adac) has signed a 5 year contract with two year of extension worth Dh538 million with Global Aerospace Logistics (GAL), A UAE owned and operated company, to provide civil air navigation services at Adac’s five airports to be effective as of May 1, 2013, Ali Majid Al Mansouri, Chairman of Adac told Gulf News.
“The Dh538 million covers Abu Dhabi International Airport, Al Bateen Executive Airport, Al Ain International Airport, Sir Baniyas Island Airport and Delma Island Airport,” said Al Mansouri.
The five airports will be collectively handling approximately 200,000 air traffic movements a year, he added.
Al Mansouri pointed out that such an agreement with a national company aims to deliver the best air navigation and communication services in line with international criteria.
“Adac is eager to deliver the best air navigation and communication services in line with international best practices from its iconic air traffic control tower, which operates with the best available technologies in air navigation worldwide,” the chairman of Adac said.
The new deal will guarantee Adac safe and efficient journeys for its passengers and airlines, he added.
GAL, which provides all military air navigation services for the UAE Armed Forces across the UAE, has benefitted from this agreement to get into the civil sector in the country.
“This new agreement with Adac represents a significant expansion into the UAE civil sector that complements the Ras Al Khaimah Airport contract GAL signed in 2012 to provide two years of air navigation services for the RAK International Airport, said GAL.
Hassan Yousuf Al Awadi, GAL´s CEO said that GAL intends to be a leader in air navigation services in the UAE and in the Middle East.
“We aim to become both the UAE’s and the Middle East’s provider-of-choice for Air Navigation Services. With a commitment to world class services and training, GAL provides many opportunities to young Emiratis in Air Traffic Control, both in operations and in management, ” said Al Awadi.
AL Mansouri elaborated saying that GAL was selected after a tender process lasting one year, which included worldwide organisations such as Navtech, Airways’ Newzeland, AENA, Serco, and INWCO.
Ahmad Al Haddabi, COO of Adac, told Gulf News that this agreement will authorise GAL to maintain the five airports’ communications and navigation systems.
“Through the new agreement, GAL will be managing the maintenance of the airports’ communications and navigation equipment, services that are critical to create a safe air traffic control environment,” said Al Haddabi.
He added that GAL will also provide and educate Emiratis in line with Emiratisation policy of Adac.
Adac signs agreement with Royal Jet
Adac also signed another agreement with Royal Jet, according to which the latter will move its operations and headquarters from the Abu Dhabi International Airport to Al Bateen Executive Airport.
Al Mansouri voiced Adac’s commitment to develop infrastructure at all its airports to develop the aviation sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. “Adac is committed to developing the needed infrastructure and expanding its services at all its airports towards developing the aviation sector in the emirate,” said Al Mansouri.
He added: “Business aviation is growing strongly in the region and Al Bateen Executive Airport, the only dedicated business aviation airport in the Middle East, has established itself as a leader in the industry, as it registers double digit growth in traffic movement year on year. Therefore, Adac is always eager to support all initiatives that will lead to further development and growth.”
Al Mansouri stressed that the agreement with Royal Jet will present tangible opportunities to both Al Bateen Airport and Royal Jet
Shane O’Hare, CEO of Royal Jet, told Gulf News: “The agreement will effectively facilitate the expansion of operations into the Al Bateen Executive Airport by the Abu Dhabi-based international luxury flight services company.”
“Royal Jet’s operations at Al Bateen Executive Airport signify the consistent and continuous upward growth that the private jet industry has experienced in the last five years,” said O’Hare.
