Both organisations have signed MoU for aerospace communications, navigation and surveillance infrastructure.
In a move to help further consolidate the UAEs aerospace ambitions and take civil aviation to newer heights, Dubai Air Navigation Services (dans) and Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for exploring satellite technology enablers following the ICAOs Aviation System Block Upgrades (ASBUs) framework for the modernisation and enhancement of the Aerospace Communications, Navigation and Surveillance Infrastructure.
Commenting on the partnership, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, and Chairman of dans, said: “This MoU endorses the UAE as the leading country for the advancements in aerospace and air traffic management domains. In the long run, this deal goes towards achieving the vision of making Dubai The World Airport. The rise of the UAE, in particular Dubai, as an ever-advancing global aviation hub connecting East and West is all about our ambitions for and in the future of air travel. I am certain that this agreement is a significant step towards enhancing our aeronautical infrastructure and contributing to the elevation of global standards, as well as strengthening our technical efficacy and air traffic management resilience. So, a well-thought-out plan and a number of initiatives will be carried out across the whole “value chain” of aviation.”
Hamad Obaid AlMansoori, Chairman, MBRSC, added: “The potential for innovative space applications is enormous, and we remain committed to transforming the UAE’s space sector and developing national capabilities. We have demonstrated that space technology and research can generate a wide range of economic benefits and fuel growth in a variety of industries, including aviation. We hope with the signing of the MoU with dans, we will be able to further contribute and accelerate progress in aerospace and air traffic management capability by leveraging and benefiting from our satellite operations in terms of technology and real-time knowledge.”
With Sheikh Ahmed overseeing the partnership’s progress, senior officials from both organisations got together to ink a deal. Details about the agreement were unveiled at the MoU signing in Dubai by Mohammed Abdulla Ahli, Director-General of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and Seconded CEO of dans, and Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director-General of MBRSC, in the presence of Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Chairman of MBRSC and Ibrahim Ahli, Deputy CEO of dans. Also present were dans and MBRSC executives and a number of executives from both entities.
Dans is the sole ANSP for four airports, including DXB, the worlds top airport for international travellers which had handled over 1.115bn passengers on more than 7.47m flights since its start in 1960. MBRSC is the government organisation behind space satellite projects like the Emirates Mars Mission, Emirates Lunar Mission and the UAE astronaut programme. In March 2022, Dubai acquired an advanced Air Traffic Management (ATM) system, TopSky, to further enhance the capacity, safety and efficiency of air navigation services at the DXB.
The latest collaboration is designed for exploring the satellite technology enablers following the International Civil Aviation Organisations (ICAO) Aviation System Block Upgrades (ASBUs) framework for the modernisation and enhancement of the Aerospace Communications, Navigation and Surveillance Infrastructure. Both organisations will work jointly to upgrade the horizons of cooperation between them through the exchange of practical experiences and the development of human resources to facilitate the MoUs implementation. They will also cooperate in all fields, activities and systems for data linkage to serve the general interest of the UAE.
According to the 18-Article MoU, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre and Dubai Air Navigation Services expressed to cooperate and exchange data and information in the Satellite Technology domain for the Next-Generation of aviation in the region. They are keen to set up an organisational framework for cooperation between them.
They also agreed to work together to upgrade their horizons of cooperation through the exchange of practical experiences and the development of human resources to facilitate the implementation of the MoU. They will also cooperate in all fields, activities and systems for data linkage to serve the UAEs general interest. Both organisations will study the possibility of technical cooperation between them. The MoU will remain valid for five years and will be renewed by both parties after mutual agreement.
