28 Dec 2011 , Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
The Gulf Centre for Aviation Studies (GCAS), the training arm of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), received the gold TRAINAIR PLUS full membership by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) at an official ceremony held in Montreal, Canada. This prestigious membership comes after the centre finalised last month the world’s first TRAINAIR PLUS Standardized Training Package (TP STP 001) at GCAS facilities in 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, to celebrate the new milestone of the Gulf Centre for Aviation Studies.

The process for becoming a full TRAINAIR PLUS member entails completing three rigorous phases; Pre-Assessment, On-site Assessment – which when completed last March, GCAS became a TRAINAIR PLUS Associate, and Post-Assessment which entails the creation and completion of the TP STP to become a TRAINAIR PLUS Member.

This prestigious membership allows GCAS now to roll out its first developed TRAINAIR PLUS standardized training program (STP 001) focusing on Air Cargo Acceptance and Handling, with courses being launched during first quarter of 2012. 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 6 months, to meet the TRAINAIR PLUS Validation Criteria of ICAO and is now available to aviation training professionals across the region and the world. This specific program is designed to focus on the subject of Air Cargo transportation, and introduce principles and products and services within the Air Cargo business. The program entails extensive practice using cargo mock-ups to maximise knowledge and understanding of the key international & national organizations 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 programs in the region which cover a wide range of topics including airlines, airport, cargo, management, regulatory, and Safety and Security. These exclusive courses aim to extend knowledge and sharpen skills, improving human performance throughout the operations of the airport and regional aviation industry.

For more information on training courses schedule please visit: www.gcas.ae