Dubai: The history of civil aviation in Dubai, which started 77 years ago, was celebrated in Shaikh Saeed House in Shindagha to highlight the milestones in its establishment.
Shaikh Saeed, former ruler of Dubai, signed an agreement in 1937 allowing imperial aircraft to land at Dubai Creek.
Along with the agreement came the commencement of commercial operations with the landing of the flying boat. With four flying boats a week, some went east to Karachi and others west to England. Mohammad Abdullah Ahli, director-general of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, issued three stamps in the spirit of the celebration.
“To pay our tribute to our rulers for their vision and contributions in the aviation sector we have joined hands with Empost to issue three stamps that reflect the three eras that reflect the wonderful journey of civil aviation in Dubai,” Ahli explained.
During the event, a video was aired marking the achievements made by different rulers throughout the eras. With the launch of the first flying boats in 1937 by Shaikh Saeed, the establishment of the first land airport in 1960 by former Dubai ruler Shaikh Rashid Al Maktoum and the initiation of the creation of Emirates airline by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai International Airport is now considered among the world’s top five airports in terms of international passenger and cargo traffic.
Additionally, ICAO, the Convention on Civil Aviation in Chicago, celebrated its 70 year mark. Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman and CEO of Emirates airline and group, highlights ICAO’s contribution by providing the necessary regulatory framework in terms of the development of international civil aviation
“The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority has been working closely with the ICAO for several decades, supporting its activities in numerous ways,” Shaikh Ahmad said. “Dubai has developed the aviation infrastructure to provide necessary connectivity, facilities and other related services for the benefit of the global aviation industry and the travelling public.”
Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, UAE’s Minister of Economy and Chairman of General Civil Aviation Authority, expressed the pride the UAE takes being associated with this convention and the ICAO.
“The UAE acceded to the Chicago Convention on April 25, 1972. It was elected a member of the ICAO Council in 2007 and has been serving as a member of the council since then,” he said.
Maria Botros is a trainee at Gulf News
