Introduction of General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Regulation and Regulatory Oversight of Heliports in the UAE

20 December 2014. Dubai, UAE: Over recent months the GCAA has been involved in researching and developing new regulation and guidance material for heliports in the UAE; including surface-level and elevated heliports, and off-shore helidecks.

This process has been conducted in partnership and in consultation with the civil aviation community; a process which has been vital for the promotion of safety in a sector where rapid growth rates continue.

It is with the greatest pleasure that the GCAA announces the certification of the first heliport in the UAE, which is awarded to the Burj Al Arab (Jumeirah Group), arguably the most iconic building in the world.

Jumeirah Group has worked in partnership with the GCAA in achieving this momentous point in the history of aviation regulation in the UAE.

HE Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of GCAA, said: “The management of safety has continued to grow over recent years and this proactive approach for the regulatory oversight of heliports reflects a collective effort and prioritisation of safety, which is principle to the GCAA State Safety Programme.”

The aim has been to identify locations for the provision of Certification or Landing Area Acceptance and to development regulation and guidance publications alongside a supportive regulatory oversight regime.

HE Saif Al Suwaidi, DG GCAA, said: “In the formulation of new GCAA regulations, research has included a review of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) publications, which are well known to the aviation sector in the form of Standards and Recommended Practices; a review of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) publications, and a review of world-wide respected best practises.”

Gerald Lawless, President and Group CEO, said: “Jumeirah and Burj Al Arab are committed to being leaders in terms of technology, guest experience and guest safety. Therefore, through working closely with the authorities and successfully applying new systems, we are pleased to have the new certification process completed and receive the first heliport license under UAE Civil Aviation Regulation Part IX.”

Essential to the GCAA’s preparation for the introduction of new regulations, has been to establish good communications with operators who manage or operate these facilities, as well as local authorities, municipalities and other organisations that may be affected.

The GCAA website is the platform for obtaining Civil Aviation Regulations and related publications. It also directs prospective Certificate or Landing Area Acceptance Holders to the e-Services applications process.

Implementation will be a phased approach, with new construction and operations conforming to regulations from the outset. Compliance with regulation at established heliports will be phased over a set period in agreement with the GCAA. However, eventually all heliport operators will be required to hold a Certificate or a Landing Area Acceptance in order to operate or to continue operations in the future.

As we step forward into the implementation phase of this project, the GCAA once again looks forward to the opportunity of working in partnership with the aviation sector, with the goal of achieving greater and improved standards of safety throughout the UAE.