Air Traffic Controllers and Pilots UAE hosted by GCAA

Dubai, UAE: The Middle East Football Tournament for Air Traffic Controllers and Pilots (MECAP), organized by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) in cooperation with Al Ahli Football Club (Al Ahli FC), ended on Monday, 20 October. Ten teams from various airports and aviation companies in the Middle East took part in the competition at the Al Forsan pitches in Dubai. Gulf Air of Kingdom of Bahrain won the football cup followed by Muscat ACC of the Sultanate of Oman with nine points.
Dammam APP of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia came in third place with seven points. The tournament was part of a strategic initiative to increase cooperation between professionals in the aviation sector in the region.

After the finals, the aviation participants gathered at a high-profile event to celebrate the winners as well as reinforce the important message of strengthening regional aviation ties across the sector. The day of the event was also the same day as the International Day of the Air Traffic Controller (ATC).

The event, held in InterContinental Hotel in Dubai Festival City, was attended by H.E. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of GCAA; Mohammed Al Hamadi, Board Member of Al Ahli FC; Hassan Karam, Aviation Key Account Director of Serco Middle East, as well as Ahmed Al Jallaf, Assistant Director General Air Navigation Services of GCAA; and Laila Ali Bin Hareb Al Muhairi, Assistant Director General Strategy and International Affairs of GCAA.

H.E. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General for GCAA, said: “First of all, I would like to congratulate the winner, Gulf Air, as well as all the teams participating in the tournament. The GCAA continues to support the ATCs and pilots; not just locally, but also regionally. We dedicate this day to the region’s exceptional aviation professionals in driving regional cooperation and encouraging relationship building. The aviation specialists’ contribution to the regional aviation industry is, and will certainly continue to be, significant.” 

Ahmed Al Jallaf, Assistant Director General of Air Navigation Services at GCAA, thanked the attendees for keeping the region’s skies safe, for contributing to the success of the aviation industry and for contributing in making the UAE what it is today.

He said: “Every day, some 2300 flights use the skies of the UAE, delivering millions of passengers to their destinations. The traffic continues to grow and the national and regional carriers continue to expand. Air travel remains the safest and most efficient means of travel.  Air traffic controllers and pilots proudly contribute to an industry that is the backbone of the global economy. This tournament and event are dedicated to them.”