ALEXANDRIA, VA — The American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE)/International Association of Airport Executives (IAAE) and the Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) have signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance aviation and training services, including the establishment of a regional training center in Abu Dhabi, for airport officials in the Middle East and Gulf regions.
The MOU, signed at AAAE's recent Annual Conference and Exposition in Philadelphia, PA, calls for ADAC's Gulf Center for Aviation Studies (GCAS) to be the region's exclusive learning center for AAAE/IAAE training programs, including the Accredited Airport Executive (AAE) program. AAAE and ADAC also plan to work together on other initiatives, including aviation business development, conferences, training, and research that will benefit the rapidly developing Middle East and Gulf regions.
"ADAC is a dynamic organization that is continuously developing and expanding its activities," says ADAC Chairman Khalifa Mohamed Al Mazrouei. "Our policy has been to establish partnerships with the best-regarded aviation- and aerospace-related companies worldwide, as we endeavour to support the growth of Abu Dhabi's economy and achieve excellence by raising the bar for airports everywhere. We are delighted to sign this agreement with AAAE and IAAE and look forward to working together for the benefit of our industry."
"IAAE's goal is to help expand AAAE's reach to the global aviation industry and foster collaboration and information exchange between airport executives worldwide," says Bonnie Allin, AAE, IAAE Chair and Tucson Airport Authority President/CEO. "We look forward to creating a lasting, mutually beneficial relationship with the Abu Dhabi Airports Company."
"AAAE and IAAE welcome the opportunity to collaborate with Abu Dhabi Airports Company and create opportunities to enhance aviation in the Middle East and Gulf regions," says Spencer Dickerson, AAAE Senior Executive Vice President. "AAAE's wide range of products and services, including stand-alone, interactive computer-based training, Web-based training, customized on-site instruction, and meetings management expertise, means we can offer a myriad of capabilities as an aviation partner."
ADAC currently operates five airports in the Emirate and is developing the Abu Dhabi Airport Logistics Park, which sits adjacent to Abu Dhabi International Airport, the primary entry point into the Emirate and growing civil aviation hub, and will provide a range of facilities for aviation-related businesses.
ADAC also is developing a major aerospace cluster in Al Ain that will attract small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the industry worldwide, to expand its international trade and establish operations. The cluster also will feature a center of excellence for technology and innovation in the global aerospace industry.
