The United Arab Emirates leads the region with 40% of business aviation flights

Ali Ahmed AlnaqbiFounder and CEO of the Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), said the UAE accounts for 35 to 40 percent of commercial aviation movement in the Middle East and North Africa, which makes them the largest market in the region.

In his remarks on the sidelines of the Third Conference on Alternative Aviation Fuels (CAAF/3) of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Alnaqbi He said the number of private or commercial aircraft operating in the UAE exceeds 500, while the number of aircraft registered in the country exceeds 200, noting that the number of aircraft operating in the local market has increased significantly. .

Following the signing of a cooperation agreement between the MEBAA and the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Alnaqbi He highlighted that the agreement aims to solidify their cooperation, promote business and private aviation, and increase activity in this critical sector, with the overall objective of increasing the number of aircraft registered in the UAE or operating from the local market.

He stated that the business and private aviation sector plays a key role in the UAE aviation system, being the leading country in this sector, adding that the UAE aims to become the main base and headquarters of business aviation in the entire region.

Alnaqbi He explained that the agreement would involve the signing of some contracts to advance the industry and establish specialized committees in operations, registration, ground assistance and others.

Collaborating with GCAA aims to accelerate the registration process and make the UAE the leading hub for commercial and private aviation services in the region, including registration and operations, he added.

Regarding private aviation and adoption of alternative fuels in operational processes, Alnaqbi He said business aviation is part of the system that promotes the sustainable use of aviation fuel through the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

As president of the council, based in Canada, Alnaqbi highlighted the commitment of the corporate and private aviation sector to use sustainable aviation fuel in the majority of private aircraft to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

He also highlighted several pieces of evidence on the use of sustainable fuel in private aviation, including the announcement of the voyage of a Gulfstream G600 aircraft using alternative fuel from the United States to Central Europe last month.

Regarding emissions from commercial and private aviation, Alnaqbi It stated that the percentage is insignificant and does not exceed 0.02 percent of the aviation sector’s emissions, generally around two percent of total global emissions.

News source: Emirates News Agency