Following the successful launch of the Al Ain Aerospace Cluster at the Paris Air Show last week, Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) today announced a new alliance with the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), one of the world’s leading education and research universities in the aerospace field, through a Memorandum of Understanding that will contribute to the further development of the aviation sector in the UAE. The agreement was signed at a ceremony held at the Paris Air Show, Le Bourget.
ADAC and The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) will work together to establish a Civil Aviation and System of Systems Education and Research Facility, which is envisioned to begin solving some of the difficult air traffic and air navigation problems along with optimizing the use of our airspace and airport infrastructure. In addition, during the first year Georgia Tech will use its distance learning education program to introduce the Civil Aviation and System of Systems education and research methodologies to students in the region.
In this regard, H.E. Khalifa Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Chairman of ADAC, said: “ADAC is fully committed to developing the air gateways of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, and that includes facing technical challenges that have not been addressed before in the region. A partnership with a first class institution such as Georgia Tech is an important part of our wider aviation and aerospace strategy. Not only are we working to solve today’s challenges, but also to prepare a new wave of innovations in aviation and air traffic systems. Through this partnership we are also providing opportunities for our local talent to benefit from the expertise and experience of world leading research professionals.”
Georgia Tech is one of the USA’s top research universities, with outstanding research and graduate degree programs in engineering, computing, sciences, architecture, humanities and social sciences as well as an integrated business school focused on entrepreneurship and technology innovation. The GIT Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering (AE) is world renowned for its graduate programme in Aerospace Systems Design.
About Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC):
Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) is a public joint-stock company wholly owned by the Abu Dhabi Government. It was incorporated by Amiri Decree number 5, issued on 4 March 2006, to spearhead the development of the Emirate's aviation infrastructure.
In September 2006, ADAC took over responsibility for the operation and management of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain international Airports. In 2008, ADAC added Al Bateen private jet airport, formerly Al Bateen military airbase, and Sir Bani Yas and Delma Island Airports to its portfolio. These airports all serve different segments of the marketplace and help contribute to Abu Dhabi’s development as a destination for both business and leisure tourism.
Currently under way is the large scale AED 25 (USD6.8) billion re-development and expansion of Abu Dhabi International Airport designed to increase the overall capacity of the airport to more than 20 million passengers per year. As part of this redevelopment, a second runway and a third terminal have been completed. A new ATC tower and Midfield Terminal Complex will complete the redevelopment within the next few years.
