UAE's GCAA Reports Over 1 Million Air Movements Recorded in 2024

Photo: Instagram/@gcaauae

In 2024, the UAE reached an important achievement by surpassing one million air traffic movements in a single year, marking a huge milestone in the country's aviation history. The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) reported that the aviation sector in the UAE grew by an impressive 10.3 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year, 2023. This growth was a result of the country’s continuous focus on improving its air traffic systems and infrastructure.

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On December 22, 2024, Emirates Flight 305 from Shanghai became the flight that marked the one-millionth air traffic movement of the year. This moment was celebrated by the GCAA, showing how much the UAE's aviation industry has grown and its importance to the country’s economy.

Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE's Minister of Economy and Chairman of the GCAA expressed his pride in reaching this milestone. He explained that this achievement isn’t just about the numbers. It represents the UAE’s strong commitment to making aviation a key part of the nation’s economy and its role as a leading global air travel hub. He also highlighted the country's impressive growth in air traffic, with an increase of over 20 percent in the past two years, one of the highest growth rates globally.

He pointed out that the UAE is ready for even more air traffic in the future, thanks to its modern infrastructure, skilled workers, and the latest technologies.
Reaching one million air traffic movements in a year also highlights the hard work and dedication of the GCAA and the Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Centre. This center is one of the busiest air traffic control centers in the world, and its role in managing airspace is crucial to ensuring smooth and safe flights.

Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, the Director General of GCAA, shared that the achievement was the result of years of careful planning, innovation, and close collaboration with various partners in the aviation industry. He emphasized the growth of air traffic in 2024 and assured that the GCAA will continue working to improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability in the sector.

Throughout 2024, the UAE also introduced several technological upgrades at the Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Centre. These improvements aimed at increasing the efficiency of airspace and reducing delays. The GCAA also focused on expanding airspace capacity to meet the growing demand while ensuring that safety standards remained a top priority.

The global economic impact of aviation is vast, with estimates showing that aviation contributes a huge $4.1 trillion to the global economy, including direct, indirect, induced, and tourism-related impacts. In Dubai alone, tourism driven by aviation has helped support a significant portion of the economy, contributing around Dh43 billion, which is 8.5 percent of Dubai’s GDP. This industry also plays a key role in supporting jobs, with aviation-facilitated tourism helping create 329,000 jobs in the region.

This milestone represents not just a number but a reflection of the UAE’s strong position in the world’s aviation network and its ability to manage air traffic effectively and safely, ensuring continued success in the years ahead.