GCAA Awards Dubai Air Navigation Services With UAE’s First U-Space Service Provider Certificate

The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has awarded Dubai Air Navigation Services (dans) the country's first U-Space Service Provider (USSP) certificate. This move aligns with efforts to regulate unmanned aircraft and establish a supportive legislative framework. The certification follows the introduction of the UAE's initial national regulation for approving UAS service providers earlier this year.

The certification marks a significant step in implementing these regulations, showcasing the UAE's readiness to support safe and organized drone operations. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the GCAA, stated, "This certificate represents an important practical step in implementing the national UAS regulation. It reflects the GCAA’s commitment to supporting innovation while maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational efficiency in line with international best practices."

Ibrahim Ahli, CEO of dans, expressed pride in being the first organisation in the UAE to receive this certification. He noted that it results from months of collaboration with GCAA and internal teams. "This recognition is the result of months of intensive collaboration with GCAA and our internal teams, and it reflects our strategic focus on future airspace management and unmanned traffic integration," he said.

To facilitate practical application of these regulations, dans has partnered with Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects and ANRA Technologies to create a platform for managing UAS traffic. This platform offers immediate flight approvals, integrates radar data, weather updates, aeronautical notifications, and enhances conflict detection and avoidance capabilities.

The certification process involved extensive coordination between entities, focusing on operational readiness assessments and system validations. It aligns with international best practices, highlighting interoperability within the UAE’s aviation ecosystem. Al Suwaidi commended DANS for their dedication during this rigorous process: "We commend DANS for their dedication and technical excellence throughout the rigorous certification process. Their achievement lays a strong foundation for future U-space deployment in the UAE."

This achievement underscores the UAE's strategic aim to become a global leader in smart air mobility and airspace innovation. The certification facilitates establishing secure U-space airspace for drone operations across the country. It also demonstrates regulatory foresight and digital infrastructure maturity within the nation's aviation sector.

The collaborative efforts between dans and its partners have resulted in a robust platform that supports current needs while preparing for future urban air mobility applications. This initiative positions the UAE as a forward-thinking nation in aviation technology.

With inputs from WAM