The UAE is home to the newest corporate member of the IFATCA community and the General Civil Aviation Authority is proud to be a member of the community.
Joining IFATCA means a lot for the GCAA. It means gaining access to a wealth of information and best practices from around the world, while keeping abreast of issues, trends and challenges related to ATC. As the first member from the Middle-East and GCC (Gulf Cooperative Council) to join IFATCA, the GCAA is also looking forward to contributing and improving global ATC operations by sharing its knowledge and expertise related to its area of activities.
Who are we?
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is both the State Regulator and the service provider for en route air traffic control in the United Arab Emirates. Its mission is to regulate and oversee aviation safety, security and environment, deliver air navigation services and facilitate air connectivity through international collaboration in order to efficiently serve the general public and civil aviation industry. It is responsible for the only area control centre in the UAE, the Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Centre, where over 100 controllers work in various capacities.
Inaugurated in 2009 and located just minutes away from the Abu Dhabi International Airport, the General Civil Aviation Authority of The United Arab Emirates Centre of Air traffic Control, Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Centre (SZC) in Abu Dhabi is the busiest and most advanced air traffic control facility in the Middle East. It ranks as one of the elite facilities in the world. It is an en route facility handling international flights arriving, departing and overflying the UAE from all over Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and South America The UAE controls some 120,000 square km (46,332 square miles) of airspace. Of the average of 2,500 daily movements, about 80% are either arriving or departing the UAE while the rest are overflights.
The Middle East is the aviation crossroads of the world and at the core of this nerve centre are the men and women at the Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Centre. These air traffic controllers are a well-trained individuals of quick thinking, professionally minded, hardworking aviation experts who safely guide thousands of aircraft 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year.
The job of a controller at SZC can be challenging, but the upside is that the employees in the United Arab Emirates live a lifestyle their friends and family can only dream of. The GCAA currently relies on UAE Nationals and experienced controllers from 22 nations to accomplish its mission. If living abroad in a multi-cultural country and being part of a modern and fast-paced ATC organization appeals to you, you may want to consider applying for an ATC position at Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Centre. Any en route-rated controllers with at least two years’ experience at a busy facility (or approach control-rated with at least five years’ experience) can apply using the following link: https://www.gcaa.gov.ae/en/pages/careers.aspx.
If you are selected you will be offered training as an area controller with a very competitive remuneration package. If you have any questions regarding these positions, write to us at askatc@szc.gcaa.ae