Muscat, Oman - The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Civil Aviation Authority, is currently hosting the 20th Regional Air Navigation Planning and Implementation Group Meeting (MIDANPIRG20_Oman) and the 10th Regional Aviation Safety Group Meeting (RASG_MID10_Oman) in coordination with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Under the auspices of His Excellency Eng. Naif bin Ali Al-Albri, President of the Civil Aviation Authority, and with the participation of prominent leaders, executives, and stakeholders from the aviation sector, these events are bringing together approximately 150 participants from 15 countries worldwide, including nine international organizations and specialized companies in the aviation and aviation safety field.

Spanning over four days, the meetings aim to facilitate the exchange of experiences, perspectives, and knowledge related to aviation and aviation safety. They provide a platform for discussing key issues and challenges faced by Middle Eastern countries and finding appropriate scientific solutions.

His Excellency Eng. Naif bin Ali Al-Albri, President of the Civil Aviation Authority, delivered the opening speech on behalf of the Sultanate of Oman. He emphasized that global and regional developments in aviation and aviation safety are essential for the work programs of expert teams and working groups within the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). These programs focus on developing rules, recommendations, procedures, and updates that serve as outcomes for the 41st General Assembly meeting. He also highlighted that the world is witnessing a faster recovery of civil aviation activity, surpassing the pre-pandemic numbers recorded in 2019. He further mentioned that the discussions and recommendations derived from the working papers and information presented during these meetings will significantly contribute to making appropriate decisions aligned with regional and national strategic plans.

Eng. Mohamed Abu Bakr Farah, Regional Director of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for the Middle East, stated that despite the significant decline in air traffic volume due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Middle East region is experiencing a recent surge in air traffic. The region has shown stable progress and growth during the years 2022 and 2023. He added that the ambitions and aspirations of Middle Eastern countries have led to new challenges in the aviation sector. Being a global destination for various purposes, such as business, religious and leisure tourism, and hosting international events like the FIFA World Cup and Expo, the region faces the challenge of dealing with air traffic congestion and improving airspace capacity to ensure operational efficiency.

The meetings are covering eight working sessions, focusing on various tasks, including reviewing the Middle East air traffic report for the past year, regional air traffic plans with new amendments and additions based on regional and global developments, discussions on relevant regional air route network schedules, the assessment of the regional air navigation service provider, and related issues and standards to enhance and sustain safety levels. Additionally, the implementation of air traffic flow management to improve flight efficiency, including lessons learned from the success of the previous FIFA World Cup, is being addressed. The agenda also includes identifying shortcomings and proposing solutions, as well as presenting the Regional Civil Aviation Safety Plan for the Middle East for the period 2023-2025. This plan includes safety improvement initiatives and safety performance standards that provide a strategic approach to regional safety management, focusing on strategic safety priorities in the Middle East region, operational regulatory issues and safety risks, and related challenges and priorities in Middle Eastern airports.

The meetings are being accompanied by an exhibition featuring sponsoring organizations, showcasing advanced technology and the latest innovations in aviation. Participants are also having the opportunity to explore the rich cultural, historical, and touristic aspects of the Sultanate of Oman.

This event marks the third international event hosted by the Sultanate of Oman through the Civil Aviation Authority this year. It follows the successful hosting of the Third Aviation Security and Facilitation Meeting in January and the Meeting of Legal Advisors for Civil Aviation in February,  both widely praised by esteemed officials and participating delegations for their exceptional hospitality and seamless organization, Oman reaffirms its unwavering commitment to maintaining a high level of proficiency and preparedness in hosting continuous global events.