Abu Dhabi, UAE, 8 April 2009: Al Ain International Airport has been awarded the Aerodrome certificate from the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) following the successful ‘Operation Volcano' aircraft crash simulation exercise including airport safety oversight audit last month. Al Ain International Airport is the second airport in the UAE, after Abu Dhabi International Airport, to be awarded full certification.

Al Ain Airport

The certification confirms that Al Ain International Airport is fully compliant with the GCAA aerodrome licensing regulations as well as meeting the requirements of the internationally recognised Annex 14 standards and recommended practices outlined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). These requirements cover all aspects of the airport operation, including infrastructure and systems, as well as procedural processes related to the safety and secure operation of the airport.

Implemented last month, ‘Operation Volcano' put the airport's emergency preparedness to the test as a fictitious emergency situation was staged at Al Ain International Airport, observed by an Aerodrome Inspector and Emergency Management Specialist from the GCAA. The simulation was organised by ADAC in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organisation/General Civil Aviation Authority standard requirements of Airport Emergency Planning and involved a number of emergency services and medical agencies.

HE Khalifa Al Mazrouei, ADAC Chairman, said:

"Al Ain International Airport has demonstrated its full emergency preparedness and this Aerodrome certificate acknowledges our safety and security compliance and emergency competencies. Al Ain is an international airport and we are dedicated to providing a facility that meets the highest international standards".

Mr. Nasser Juma, Vice President of Safety and Security at Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), added:

"This certification is evidence of ADAC's commitment to superior safety management systems and processes which benefit both our airline partners and passengers using the airport."

-ENDS-

About Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC):
Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) is a public joint-stock company wholly owned by the Abu Dhabi Government. It was incorporated by Amiri Decree number 5, issued on 4 March 2006, to spearhead the development of the Emirate's aviation infrastructure.

In September 2006, ADAC took over responsibility for the operation and management of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain international Airports. In 2008, ADAC added Al Bateen private jet airport, formerly Al Bateen military airbase, and Sir Baniyas and Delma Island Airports to its portfolio. These airports all serve different segments of the marketplace and help contribute to Abu Dhabi’s development as a destination for both business and leisure tourism.

Currently under way is the large scale AED 25 (USD6.8) billion re-development and expansion of Abu Dhabi International Airport designed to increase the overall capacity of the airport to more than 20 million passengers per year. As part of this redevelopment, a second runway and a third terminal have been completed. A new ATC tower and Midfield Terminal Complex will complete the redevelopment within the next few years.

Press Office, ADAC – Abu Dhabi Airports Company 
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