Dubai
Efforts by governments in the Gulf to improve air traffic congestion are inadequate when compared to huge investments into airport infrastructure and aircraft fleet, a top regional aviation executive said.
Air traffic congestion is a point of criticism for stakeholders in the region who complain that congested air space is causing delays on the ground and planes to circle above airports waiting for clearance to land.
“The growth in infrastructure, the growth in the airlines and the number of flights is not being matched with improvements in air traffic control,” said Hussain Dabbas, Africa & Middle East Regional Vice President at the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
IATA is a global trade body representing airlines and works with airports and governments on aviation matters.
The challenge with air traffic congestion in the Gulf is that there are large amounts of aircraft travelling not just to but also through the region. Air traffic control is also almost entirely sovereign meaning pilots need to talk to several countries to fly over what could be a small distance.
But Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries continue to state they are developing a regional strategy; however, stakeholders have regularly said a solution was needed yesterday.
“It is already affecting the airlines because it’s costing them a lot of money by sitting on the ground waiting for clearance to take off. On average its costs airlines $56 each minute the aeroplane is delayed,” Dabbas said.
The $56 factors in the cost of keeping engines running, compensating passenger who miss connecting flights as well as extra wages for flight crew.
Dabbas said the problem for the Gulf governments, and industry stakeholders, is that a solution needs to be found almost immediately.
The Gulf is becoming increasingly important in the global aviation industry, which is led by the rapid growth of Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways.
