DUBAI, 21 August 2006 — The Middle East is now the world’s largest market for Air Traffic Control and Radar and Airport Security equipment and systems with demand outstripping that of Europe and Asia, according to the head of Air Traffic Services at the Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai.
Mansoor Mohammed Taher said with Middle Eastern air traffic growth now far exceeding that of other regions and with almost every country in the area investing in new airport build, the market is the most buoyant for international suppliers. “While Europe and Asia share our common need to constantly upgrade to maintain safety levels, the Middle East is differentiated because it is not constrained by land availability and so is investing in new airports to ensure it meets growth and does not create capacity limitations,” explained Taher.
“This is true for Dubai where we have embarked on the huge Dubai World Central International airport at Jebel Ali, but also for other international airports in the UAE and the Middle East where investment is focused on airport automation.” Taher, who also has a key role on the Flying Committee of the Dubai Air Show, has revealed that Dubai’s entire air traffic and approach radar operations will move to Dubai World Central by 2009.
“This has now been agreed and a budget for the purchase of state-of-the-art ATC and radar systems has been earmarked. At Dubai 2007, we will be looking to source the very latest technology, not just for ATC equipment and radar systems but also for general airport systems and security equipment.” And Taher said Dubai is currently leading the way in investment in the latest air traffic services technology citing the DCA’s recent $3.6 million contract placed with the UK’s QinetiQ for its ground-breaking Tarsier runway debris detection radar systems. “We are the first in the Middle East, and indeed the world, to utilize this technology,” said Taher.
The move to Dubai World Central International, being built to reduce pressure on Dubai International airport which is currently handling a peak of 700 aircraft movements a day, is also set to increase local demand for air traffic controllers — with the allotment rising from the current 85 air traffic control officers, 35% of which are UAE nationals, to 120.
