No solution in sight for Gulf’s air traffic congestion problem

Ras Al Khaimah: The governments of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, including the UAE, appear no closer to solving the regions suffocating air traffic congestion issue.

An increasing number of aircraft are flying over the Gulf resulting in a back up of traffic that see’s passengers idling over airports, and on the ground, waiting for a slot to free up to take off or land.

The six GCC states have discussed, and are still discussing, adopting a system similar to Eurocontrol, which coordinates air traffic routes in Europe and works with national authorities, air navigation service providers, civil and military airspace users, airports.

“I cannot put a deadline for a political solution,” said Laila Al Muhair, Assistant Director General — Strategy and International Affairs at the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), last week.