GCAS is awarded the Gold ICAO TRAINAIR plus full membership

The Gulf Centre for Aviation Studies (GCAS), the training arm of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) has received the gold TRAINAIR PLUS full membership from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) at an official ceremony held in Montreal, Canada. This prestigious membership comes after the centre successfully completed last month the world’s first TRAINAIR PLUS Standardized Training Package (TP STP 001) at the GCAS facilities at ADAC’s Al Bateen Executive Airport.

The ceremony was attended by: H.E. Raymond Benjamin, ICAO Secretary General; H.E. Mohamad  Bin Harib Al Yousif, Executive Director for Aviation at the Department of Transport Abu Dhabi (DOT); Mohamad Abu Baker Farea, Director for Aviation, Planning & Development, DOT; Eng. Ahmad Al Haddabi, Chief Operating Officer, ADAC; Dr. Othman Al Khoury, VP Human Resources and General Manager, GCAS; and Capt. Aysha Al Hamili, UAE Representative to ICAO and the Coordinator of the Arab Civil Aviation Commission (ACAC) on the Council. All parties celebrated the new milestone for GCAS.

The process for becoming a full TRAINAIR PLUS member entails completing three rigorous phases; Pre-Assessment, On-site Assessment and Post-Assessment. The On-site Assessment was completed last March and saw GCAS become a TRAINAIR PLUS Associate while Post-Assessment entailed the creation and completion of the TP STP 001.

The TRAINAIR PLUS Course Development Team at GCAS completed the development of the TP STP 001 Air Cargo Acceptance and Handling over a period of six months, to meet the TRAINAIR PLUS Validation Criteria of ICAO. The membership will now allow GCAS to roll out its first TRAINAIR PLUS standardised training programme with courses being launched for aviation training professionals across the region and the world during first quarter of 2012. This specific programme introduces principles, products and services within the Air Cargo business. It also entails extensive practice using cargo mock-ups to maximise knowledge and understanding of the key international and national organisations that regulate, govern, and guide the air transportation industry, and the details of the general acceptance principles for air cargo.

Commenting during the ceremony, H.E. Raymond Benjamin, ICAO Secretary General, said: “ICAO views the Gulf Centre for Aviation Studies as an effective platform in the region to spearhead the development of the highest standards of aviation training curriculums to cater to the growing demand. It can also foster the exchange of available resources with various aviation training institutions around the world.”

H.E. Mohamad Bin Harib Al Yousif, Executive Director for Aviation at the Department of Transport Abu Dhabi, said: “We would like to thank ICAO for giving Abu Dhabi the opportunity to represent ICAO’s vision in the region with regards to training, research and human capital development. We are delighted to see ADAC at the forefront of this cooperation initiative and look forward to developing the many opportunities that it presents.”

Capt. Aysha Al Hamili, UAE Representative to ICAO Council also noted that the Gulf Centre for Aviation Studies will contribute to further strengthening the excellent relationship between ICAO and the UAE.

On this new milestone for the Gulf Centre of Aviation Studies, Dr. Othman Al Khouri, VP Human Resources and Administration at ADAC and General Manager of GCAS, explained: “GCAS is proud to be officially awarded the ICAO TRAINAIR PLUS gold full membership. GCAS has laid down a daring mission towards delivering the highest standards of airport and aviation training legacy to the region and the rest of the world through the iconic ICAO TRAINAIR PLUS initiative.”

GCAS has been certified last March as the World’s first “TRAINAIR PLUS” training centre by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and is the exclusive JAATO aviation training centre in the Middle East region. GCAS is also a major certified centre and training hub to deliver courses endorsed by Airport Council International (ACI) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in the region.

GCAS offers exclusive ICAO training programmes in the region covering a wide range of topics including airlines, airports, cargo, management, regulations, and safety and security. These courses aim to extend knowledge and sharpen skills, improving human performance throughout the operations of the airport and regional aviation industry.