Dubai creates body to chart aviation projects

The Dubai government yesterday announced a law creating Dubai Corporation for Aviation Engineering Projects (DCAEP) that will help the emirate leverage its expertise in master-planning and developing world-class airports in and outside the country. Law No 12 of 2012 was issued by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, setting up DCAEP which will be attached to Dubai Aviation City Corporation, the conglomerate created to develop the $30-billion (Dh110.19 billion) Dubai World Central. The law gives the new corporation complete administrative and financial independence, according to the announcement released through WAM. "All the rights, obligations, jurisdictions, and responsibilities of Dubai Aviation City Corporation will be transferred to the newly set up corporation. Employees of the Aviation City Corporation will be transferred to the new one while preserving their obtained rights," the law stipulates. Article No 5 of the law says that the organisation's objectives will be to strengthen the emirate's leadership position in planning, designing and building airports and affiliated facilities and attracting investments in airports. "The corporation will also be responsible for sup-ervising the construction of airports and facilities, developing currently operating airports and carrying out infrastructure services they require both inside and outside the emirate," states the law, which expands the organisation's scope of operations beyond the emirate of Dubai. The new entity will also carry out studies regarding technical and engineering obstacles facing airport operations and management, and coming up with appropriate solutions by coordinating with relevant parties. The organisation will be headed by a chairman, a chief executive and a managing director, as per the announcement. "It seems that the Dubai government is consolidating all of its airport infrastructure needs under one banner allowing greater interaction between the bodies governing development, construction and other airport services," Aviation analyst Saj Ahmad of StrategicAero Research told Gulf News. "It's almost like a one-stop shop for all aspects of aviation planning — from airport location selection, design and detail to actual building work," he said. "It seems that the Dubai government edict wants to closer homogenise and integrate all of the aviation-related businesses under one roof." Dubai has developed Dubai International — the world's fourth biggest aviation hub that caters to more than 50 million passengers annually. The government is investing over Dh28 billion in expanding the airport operations to increase its cap-acity to 90 million from the current 70 million capacity. Current projects In addition, Dubai is also developing Al Maktoum International Airport designed to cater to more than 160 million passengers annually. With a strong aviation focus, in 2006, Dubai created Dubai Aerospace Enterprise — a Dh55 billion organisation to develop a large aerospace cluster in Jebel Ali and attract foreign investment and expertise. Dubai World Central has Al Maktoum International as its centrepiece. From gulfnews