UAE airport operator, Abu Dhabi Airports, has received the first Aerodrome Flight Information Services (AFIS) certification in the country for Sir Bani Yas Airport.

Awarded by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the UAE’s first AFIS certificate is in accordance with the civil aviation regulations.

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Abu Dhabi Airports chairman Awaidah Murshed Al Marar said: “The successful delivery of this project means that Sir Bani Yas is the first unit within the UAE to obtain this type of certification.

“We thank all our partners and stakeholders for their kind support, and look forward to the further development of this airport.”

"The successful delivery of this project means that Sir Bani Yas is the first unit within the UAE to obtain this type of certification."

The airport operator attained the certification after its AFIS officers were trained to meet GCAA standards, new AFIS procedures were launched, a new watch tower was established, and technical equipment was installed.

GCAA director general Saif Al Suwaidi said: “The AFIS Regulations are the first in this region, and in fact amongst the first in the world.

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“Thus the issue of a certificate for this service is a new concept, and it has taken a great deal of preparation in order to achieve the high standard necessary for the approval to be awarded.”

The certification is provided at airfields where flight information is needed, but where the aircraft traffic does not warrant having a complete air traffic control (ATC) service.

AFIS provides the pilots with information about other known aircraft that are landing, departing or flying in the vicinity of the airfield.

It also offers important meteorological information, along with providing details of the runway status.

On receiving the necessary information from AFIS, the aircraft pilot determines the best way to operate the flight safely.

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