Latest news with #GCAA
Arabian Business
13-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Abu Dhabi passenger eVTOL aircraft test flight lifts off in public demonstation
Abu Dhabi has hosted a test flight of a passenger electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in a public demonstration that marks a step towards integrating urban air mobility into daily transport. The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), supported by the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC), collaborated with EHang and Multi Level Group (MLG) to conduct the demonstration flight. الرحلة التجريبية للطائرة الكهربائية العمودية ذاتية القيادة أسهمت في تقييم القدرات التكنولوجية للطائرة على العمل في الأجواء الحارة، وجاهزية المهابط والمرافق، وكفاءة عمليات التنسيق الجوي، بما يؤكّد ريادة #أبوظبي في توظيف أحدث التقنيات المبتكرة وحلول النقل الذكي. — مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) June 13, 2025 The test showcased the emirate's approach to urban mobility and intelligent transportation systems. Abu Dhabi advances urban air mobility The project aims to bring autonomous passenger aircraft to Abu Dhabi to provide zero-emission aerial mobility, contributing to the emirate's position as a destination for air, land and sea transportation. The test flight validated technologies including hot-weather performance in Abu Dhabi's climate, airspace coordination, route planning and vertiport operations. The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) oversaw the flight, which demonstrated regulatory, operational and infrastructure frameworks for scaling this mode of transport. 'Today's demonstration embodies Abu Dhabi's future-forward ambition. Through the vision of the SASC, we're turning future mobility into tangible nation-building. With EHang and MLG, we are proving that urban air taxis will be a part of everyday life, here in Abu Dhabi and around the world. This is how we diversify our economy, cultivate homegrown capabilities and make the emirate a global leader in next-generation transport,' Badr Al Olama, Director-General at ADIO said. The demonstration engaged the public and stakeholders, providing them with a view of future mobility technology. The event aimed to build trust in the technology and generate momentum for the commercial deployment of urban air mobility. EHang, which trades on Nasdaq and specialises in autonomous aviation technology, has confirmed plans to establish regional operations in Abu Dhabi. These operations will include a final assembly line and support facilities, executed in partnership with MLG and supported by ADIO. EHang's EH216-S has received the world's first type certificate, production certificate and standard airworthiness certificate for passenger-carrying pilotless eVTOL aircraft from the Civil Aviation Administration of China. The EH216-S is the world's first certified, pilotless, two-seater eVTOL aircraft. It combines autonomy with electric propulsion to deliver zero-emission aerial mobility for urban environments. The aircraft operates for applications including sightseeing, short-distance connections and tourism, with minimal noise and no runway requirement. The EH216-S features eight arms equipped with 16 propellers, each powered by a dual-motor system, totalling 32 independent electric motors. The design provides vertical take-off and landing capabilities with redundancy and operational safety. 'This public flight demonstration marks a pivotal milestone in our strategic partnership with EHang, one of the group's most significant strategic collaborations. It reinforces our shared vision to lead the autonomous aerial mobility sector from the UAE to Africa and the Middle East. This cooperation is a key pillar in positioning Abu Dhabi and the UAE as a global hub for future transportation technologies. This achievement represents a major step toward the commercialisation and widespread adoption of low-altitude passenger aviation services. By establishing an integrated ecosystem for certified electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in the region, we are not only accelerating innovation and advanced manufacturing but also laying the foundation for a new era of smart and sustainable mobility across the Middle East and Africa,' Mohamed Salah, CEO of Advanced Mobility Hub, a subsidiary of MLG added. Through the Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry cluster, Abu Dhabi is localising production, supporting infrastructure development and enabling regulation for future mobility solutions. ADIO continues to forge partnerships and provide support for investment in the emirate, enabling global companies to establish and expand their operations from Abu Dhabi.
Gulf Business
03-06-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
Date announced: Emirates to reintroduce flights to Damascus
Image credit: WAM/Website Emirates will resume flights to Damascus on July 16, 2025, marking its return to the Syrian capital for the first time since services were suspended in 2012. The relaunch follows a comprehensive operational evaluation conducted in coordination with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Read- The airline will initially operate three weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays. From August 2, service will increase to four weekly flights with the addition of a Saturday route. Emirates plans to expand operations to daily service beginning October 26, 'Emirates is pleased to restart operations to Damascus and support Syria's road ahead by providing better choice and connectivity, essential economic links for inward investment, as well as opening new trade lanes and global market access,' said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group. 'Re-establishing air travel and connectivity is also good news for our customers—particularly the expansive Syrian diaspora across the Americas, Europe, and the GCC—who are eager to fly back home, reconnect with their roots, and contribute their knowledge, skills, and resources to Syria's ongoing development efforts,' he added. Sheikh Ahmed also thanked the Syrian authorities for their support in restoring air links between Dubai and Damascus, and expressed optimism about enhancing connectivity through regularly scheduled operations. Emirates will deploy a 302-seat Boeing 777-200LR on the route. The service is expected to boost travel options across the airline's global network of nearly 150 destinations, while also supporting the UAE's efforts to strengthen bilateral ties and assist Syria's rebuilding efforts in sectors such as energy, construction, and agriculture. Customers flying to and from Damascus will benefit from the airline's codeshare agreement with flydubai, offering greater scheduling flexibility and convenience. Emirates originally launched flights to Damascus in 1988 and had carried over 2.1 million passengers on the route before suspending operations in 2012. The airline currently serves 13 cities across the Middle East and GCC, operating a total of 191 weekly flights in the region. flydubai Launches Daily Flights to Damascus Dubai-based carrier The airline will now operate daily flights to the Syrian capital, marking the first UAE-based commercial flight to Syria in nearly 12 years. Among the dignitaries welcoming the inaugural flight were UAE Ambassador to Syria Hassan Ahmed Al Shehhi, alongside Abdul Bari Al Saj, Deputy Chairman of the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority, and Amjad Nakhkhal, Director of the Authority.
Hi Dubai
03-06-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Emirates to Resume Flights to Damascus from July 16
Emirates will resume flights to Damascus from 16 July 2025, marking a major step in re-establishing air links between the UAE and Syria after more than a decade-long suspension. The airline halted operations to the Syrian capital in 2012, and its return follows a detailed review in coordination with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). The relaunch begins with three weekly flights—on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays—and will gradually expand to daily service by 26 October. 'We are pleased to restart operations to Damascus and support Syria's road ahead by providing better connectivity and opening new trade lanes,' said H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group. He highlighted the role of the flights in supporting the Syrian diaspora, enhancing economic ties, and aiding the country's development. Emirates will operate the route using a Boeing 777-200LR, offering 302 seats. The service is expected to boost access to the airline's global network of nearly 150 destinations and support efforts to attract foreign investment across Syria's energy, construction, and agriculture sectors. The airline's codeshare agreement with flydubai will also enhance travel options for passengers to and from Damascus. Emirates first launched services to Syria in 1988 and carried over 2.1 million passengers before suspending flights in 2012. The restart underscores growing regional engagement with Syria and the UAE's commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Arabian Business
02-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Emirates to resume Dubai to Damascus flights
Operations were suspended to the Syrian capital in 2012, and the return of services follow a comprehensive evaluation in conjunction with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). The airline will initially start with three weekly services on Monday, Wednesday and Sunday, with plans to expand to four weekly flights from August 2 with an additional flight on Saturday. Emirates Dubai to Damascus flights Emirates will expand its Damascus services to daily operations, effective October 26. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, said: 'Emirates is pleased to restart operations to Damascus and support Syria's road ahead by providing better choice and connectivity, essential economic links for inwards investment as well as opening new trade lanes and global market access for the country. 'Re-establishing air travel and connectivity is also good news for our customers that make up the expansive Syrian diaspora across the Americas, Europe and the GCC, who are eager to fly back home and reconnect to their roots, and leverage their knowledge, skills, expertise and resources in ongoing development efforts. 'We would like to thank the Syrian authorities for their support in strengthening connectivity between Dubai and Damascus and look forward to boosting links to and from the country through our regularly scheduled operations.' Emirates' services to Damascus will operate with a 302-seater Boeing 777-200LR. The flights will open up new opportunities for travellers to conveniently connect to and from the airline's network of nearly 150 destinations and will support the UAE's efforts to strengthen bilateral ties and support Syrian aspirations to rebuild and attract foreign investment across key sectors such as energy, construction and agriculture. Emirates commenced services to Damascus in 1988, and prior to suspending operations in 2012 the airline carried more than 2.1m passengers in and out of Syria. The airline currently flies to 13 cities in the Middle East/GCC, serving the region with a total of 191 weekly flights.
Gulf Today
02-06-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Emirates to reintroduce Damascus services after 14 years from July 16
Emirates is set to reintroduce flights to Damascus from July 16, 2025. Operations were suspended to the Syrian capital in 2012, and the return of services follow a comprehensive evaluation in conjunction with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). The airline will initially start with three weekly services on Monday, Wednesday and Sunday, with plans to expand to four weekly flights from Aug.2, with an additional flight on Saturday. Emirates will expand its Damascus services to daily operations, effective Oct.26. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, said, "Emirates is pleased to restart operations to Damascus and support Syria's road ahead by providing better choice and connectivity, essential economic links for inwards investment as well as opening new trade lanes and global market access for the country. Re-establishing air travel and connectivity is also good news for our customers that make up the expansive Syrian diaspora across the Americas, Europe and the GCC, who are eager to fly back home and reconnect to their roots, and leverage their knowledge, skills, expertise and resources in ongoing development efforts. "We would like to thank the Syrian authorities for their support in strengthening connectivity between Dubai and Damascus and look forward to boosting links to and from the country through our regularly scheduled operations.' Emirates' services to Damascus will operate with a 302-seater Boeing 777-200LR. The flights will open up new opportunities for travellers to conveniently connect to and from the airline's network of nearly 150 destinations and will support the UAE's efforts to strengthen bilateral ties and support Syrian aspirations to rebuild and attract foreign investment across key sectors such as energy, construction and agriculture. Emirates customers flying to and from Damascus will also benefit from the airline's codeshare partnership with flydubai, which will complement its flight schedule and provide more options and convenience when flying in and out of the Syrian capital. Emirates commenced services to Damascus in 1988, and prior to suspending operations in 2012 the airline carried over 2.1 million passengers in and out of Syria. The airline currently flies to 13 cities in the Middle East/GCC, serving the region with a total of 191 weekly flights. WAM
