H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Releases Commemorative Stamps on History of Civil Aviation in Dubai

Dec. 9, 2014
The first day cover and stamps have been issued by Empost to showcase the achievements in the civil aviation industry in the emirate on the occasion of the 70th Anniversary of the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

Dubai, December 9, 2014: His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, has released three commemorative postal stamps to mark history-defining civil aviation developments in the Emirate of Dubai.

He unveiled the stamps on Sunday at a ceremony held at the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House in Shindagha, Dubai, in the presence of a large number of dignitaries which included His Excellency Mohammed Abdulla Ahli and Consul General for the US in Dubai, His Excellency Rob Waller. 

The first day cover and stamps have been issued by Empost to showcase the achievements in the civil aviation industry in the emirate on the occasion of the 70th Anniversary of the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed said: “The provisions of the Chicago Convention and the immense contribution of the ICAO provided the necessary regulatory framework for the development of international civil aviation. The work of the ICAO in formulating the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS) to ensure safe and secure operation of international civil aviation and its continuous efforts to improve the SARPS to meet numerous challenges is commendable.”  

He added: “The Emirate of Dubai has worked closely with the ICAO in a number of initiatives which has shown tremendous progress through the years. Dubai has developed the aviation infrastructure to provide necessary connectivity, facilities and other related services for the benefit of the global aviation industry and the travelling public. We are committed to continue with such contribution.”

His Excellency Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, UAE’s Minister of Economy and Chairman of General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), in his message to Via Dubai, the newsletter of the DCAA, said: “I consider the Chicago Convention as an important Public International Law instrument that brought every State under one umbrella with a view to develop international civil aviation and preserve friendship and understanding among the nations and the people of the world. The UAE is proud to be associated with this Convention and the ICAO.”

“The UAE acceded to the Chicago Convection on 25th April 1972 and was elected as a member of the ICAO Council in 2007 and remained a member of the Council since then. The UAE has strengthened its participation and the contribution towards the development of the global aviation industry in many areas, such as, international cooperation, providing new infrastructure and facilities to facilitate international air transport, providing connectivity through its airlines, ensuring safe and secure aviation industry, providing air navigation services and protecting the environment,” he added.

He said the aviation infrastructure in the UAE have been built and operated with modern and efficient equipment. The country provides connectivity through its seven airports, with Dubai International Airport being ranked amongst the top two airports for passenger movement globally. The development of infrastructure demonstrates UAE’s commitment to facilitate global connectivity.

He remarked: “The UAE carriers have been providing innovative service and efficient connectivity to the traveling public by connecting the continents. There are over 100 scheduled carriers operating through the airports in the UAE. The UAE has signed over 122 fully liberalized and/or open skies agreements with ICAO Member States. This amply demonstrates our liberal approach in the air transport industry.”

His Excellency Mohammed Ahli, Director General of DCAA, said: “The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority has been working closely with the ICAO for several decades, supporting its activities in numerous ways. DCAA is committed to continue with its efforts to support the development of international civil aviation for the benefit of the people and to preserve friendship and understanding amongst nations, whilst bearing in mind the importance of maintaining safe, secure and environment- friendly aviation industry.”

He added: “In order to pay our tribute to our Rulers for their vision and contribution in the aviation sector, we have joined hands with EMPOST, to issue three stamps that reflect the three eras that converged, the wonderful journey of civil aviation in Dubai, from the creek to a twin airport city, and takings its airlines, Emirates and flydubai to greater heights, besides other areas of the aviation industry.”

He congratulated all the Member States, the President of ICAO Council, Secretary General of ICAO, and all its officials on the 70th Anniversary.

At the ceremony, the DCAA honoured its strategic partners – Emirates Airlines, flydubai, Dubai Duity Free, Dubai Customs, Dubai Police and General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA-Dubai).  To mark the occasion, the DCAA released a special edition of its monthly bilingual newsletter, Via Dubai.

In a special message to Via Dubai, His Excellency Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, President, ICAO Council said: “Over the past seven decades, and with the Convention and its 19 Annexes to guide us, ICAO and its 191 Member States have made enormous progress in realizing this vision. Air transport is an essential component of our global society, a powerful driver of economic, social and cultural development, and the safest and the most efficient mode of mass transportation ever created. The aviation sector will continue to grow exponentially in the next decades, with air traffic set to double its passenger and flight capacity by 2030.

He added: “There is also a pressure to quicken the pace of liberalization and more effectively address the many issues now impacting the economic and commercial viability of modern air transport. As a community, we have a collective responsibility to ensure that all ICAO Member States and stakeholders keep pace with new technological advancements and that Standards set in the Annexes to the Chicago Convention are globally implemented in a harmonized manner. No country should be left behind and every passenger should have assurance of a safe, secure, efficient and reliable air transport service whatever his or her destination.