“A Global Award for a Global Industry”

Dubai, UAE, November 08, 2018:  In just a few decades, the aviation sector has had a transformative effect on the UAE economy and we believe that it is time to celebrate the achievements of the aviation industry globally and to acknowledge and promote the far-reaching impacts that aviation has on global trade thanks to the connectivity that it affords. 

This inspired the UAE to establish the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Aviation Award that aims to shine light on States, Business Organizations and Individuals around the world, by recognizing their contribution to the success of aviation industry. This triennial award reflects UAE’s commitment to promote aviation and the support to ICAO’s ‘No Country Left Behind’ initiative.

The Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Aviation Award (SMBRAMGAA) recognize overall excellence in the quality of air transport infrastructure, compliance to safety and security standards, cooperation and support among ICAO contracting States, personal contributions of individuals and innovation, and it is an active reflection of the belief of our beloved leader Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Ruler of the Emirate of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum who aptly Stated, “Determination, strategy and vision for the future are our real resources in the quest for excellence and success.” 

The Award Scheme consists of six distinct categories, each one designed to support these strategic objectives and represent the unique mix that is the aviation business. The categories include: ‘State with most improved Quality of Aviation Infrastructure’, ‘Outstanding Global Connectivity Award’, ‘Outstanding Resource Contribution to ICAO Programs’, ‘Outstanding International Cooperation Programs’, ‘Aviation personality of the Triennium’ and ‘Innovation Award’ (encompassing aviation safety, security, sustainability, passenger experience).

The Award is managed under the Chairmanship of His Excellency Engineer Sultan Saeed Al Mansoori – UAE Minister of Economy and the Chairman of GCAA. A group of international Strategic Partners contributes in the evaluation process. In order to make this a comprehensive and all encompassing, the Award has been divided in six categories that represent a unique mix of aviation business.

“The diversity of the Award’s categories reflects our commitment to the overall development of the industry. We recognize that excellence in the aviation industry does not happen by accident. 

H.E. Eng Sultan Saeed Al Mansoori, UAE Minister of Economy and the Chairman of GCAA said, “There are regulatory authorities, business organizations, academic institutions and of course individuals who are striving day and night for the development of aviation. This is our humble effort to say ‘thank you’ to them who made a meaningful contribution in the development of our industry and by doing so, helped uplift the socio economic wellbeing of millions of people around the world. We invite you to join us in our continuous efforts to promote compliance with aviation safety and security standards, cooperation and support for each other, recognize and reward outstanding leaders and promote liberalization and innovation. We encourage you to participate by nominating an exceptional leader for his or her exemplary contribution to the industry, an organization or individual for their creativity and innovation.” 

The UAE’s global aviation success story is thanks in large part to the visionary leadership of the UAE’s Vice President and Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his passion for aviation and the significance placed on aviation towards wider global economic development. Traditionally however, the aviation world has been dominated by a few nations with a long-standing history of aviation. Thus, emerging nations such as UAE have had to develop creative ways to assert themselves.

 H.E Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi Director General of the GCAA stated, “We believe that ICAO’s ‘No Country Left behind’ initiative presents an opportunity for an award scheme that rewards the development of the aviation industry across the board. With this in view, we launched the triennial Mohammed Bin Rashid (MBR) ‘Global Aviation Award’ that coincides with the ICAO General Assembly, once every three years in Montreal – Canada. The objective of the award scheme is to provide a platform to connect and improve relations with Least Developed States (LDS), support the ICAO Objective of increased global connectivity, support the “Global Aviation Plan for Development” and promote innovation and liberalization across the industry globally.”  

From the first commercial flight arriving in the UAE in October 1932 from what is now Pakistan, the UAE aviation sector has flourished and the UAE is now home to one of the world’s busiest international airports and the largest international airlines. The aviation industry is already a major contributor to the UAE economy and it has the potential to become a major source of the UAE’s post oil diversification portfolio.