AAAE and IAAE select Abu Dhabi to establish its Headquarters to enhance aviation and training services at the Gulf Centre for Aviation Studies (GCAS)
Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and the International Association of Airport Executives (IAAE) to enhance aviation and training services, including the establishment of a regional training centre in Abu Dhabi, for airport executives in the Gulf and Middle East regions.
The MOU, signed at AAAE’s recent Annual Conference and Exposition in Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.A., calls for ADAC’s Gulf Centre for Aviation Studies (GCAS) to be the region’s exclusive learning centre for AAAE and IAAE training programs, including the Accredited Airport Executive program (A.A.E.). AAAE and ADAC also plan to work together on other initiatives, including aviation business development, conferences, training and research that will benefit the rapidly developing Middle East and Gulf regions.
The Gulf Centre for Aviation Studies (GCAS) has been certified by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) last year. The Centre’s training programs and enhanced researches, which will be set up in Al Bateen Airport, is expected to be launched by the end of this year.
In this regard, H.E Khalifa Mohamed Al Mazrouei, ADAC’s Chairman, stated: “ADAC is a dynamic organization that is continuously developing and expanding its activities. Our policy has been to establish partnerships with the best-regarded aviation and aerospace-related companies worldwide, as we endeavour to support the growth of Abu Dhabi’s economy and achieve excellence by raising the bar for airports that ADAC operates. This mutual cooperation will better enhance the airports executives’ skills and experience for the benefit of the aviation sector and industry of the Emirates.”
From his side, Jalal D. Haider, Senior General Manager of GCAS, stated: “We are delighted to sign the agreement with AAAE and IAAE, which has selected Abu Dhabi to set up its Headquarters, and looking forward to work together in order to train airports executives and refine their expertise in collaboration with international experts from both parties for the advancement of this vital sector, not only at the national level, but at the GCC and regional levels”.
From her side, Patricia Allin, IAAE’s Chair and President of the Tucson Airport Authority, stated: "IAAE’s goal is to help expand AAAE’s reach to the global aviation industry and foster collaboration and information exchange between airports executives worldwide. We look forward to creating a lasting, mutually beneficial relationship with the Abu Dhabi Airports Company."
From another side, Spencer Dickerson, AAAE’s Vice President and Senior Executive, stated: "AAAE and IAAE welcome the opportunity to collaborate with ADAC and create opportunities to enhance aviation in the Middle East and Gulf regions, AAAE’s wide range of products and services, including stand-alone, interactive computer-based training, Web-based training, customized on-site instruction and meetings management expertise, means we can offer a myriad of capabilities as an aviation partner."
At the recent Paris Air Show, ADAC announced a number of high-profile partnerships with leading organizations in the aviation and aerospace sectors, which will help spur the development of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi as one of the most technologically advanced centres for aviation worldwide.
ADAC currently operates five airports in the Emirate and is developing the Abu Dhabi Airport Logistics Park, which sits adjacent to Abu Dhabi International Airport, the primary entry point into the Emirate and growing civil aviation hub, and will provide a range of facilities for aviation-related businesses.
ADAC is also developing a major aerospace cluster in Al Ain that will attract small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the industry worldwide, to expand its international trade and establish operations. The cluster will also feature a centre of excellence for technology and innovation in the global aerospace industry.
AAAE is the world’s largest provider of interactive airport training and has spent years developing and refining various delivery methods for both federally mandated and value-added training. Airport and airline employees at 82 airports nationwide have logged more than 1.2 million training sessions using AAAE’s patented Interactive Employee Training (IET) system. AAAE’s eCISTM product is the world’s first learning management system purposely built for the airport environment. The ANTN Digicast Web-based video training platform has more than 200 airport customers. AAAE’s on-site programs have been tapped by major airport systems, including Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, to offer customized, instructor-led training to their staffs.
AAAE also is an industry leader in developing conferences aimed at fostering growth and opportunity for aviation executives. AAAE produces some 100 meetings per year and has been retained by major industry organizations and federal agencies, such as the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, to manage and expand their signature events.
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