The State of Qatar has achieved many firsts in the field of civil aviation safety. Maintaining the trend, Qatar has now achieved a 91.16 percent compliance rate according to the new standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which was implemented in 2018, making it the first country to receive such a high percentage. Qatar is among 48 states that have made progress in overcoming deficiencies in safety control and improving the effective implementation of international rules and recommendations related in the field. Qatar is also the first country in the Middle East to start implementing the latest European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Comprehensive Safety Program regulations.
Qatar occupies an advanced position in the field of security and safety of civil aviation in the world, applying the highest international standards and international requirements, thanks to the directives of the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the efforts of all sectors related to aviation industry in the State. Qatar recently opened a permanent office in the ICAO in Montreal, Canada in addition to winning membership in the Executive Council of the Arab Civil Aviation Authority.
The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA), since 2015, has been focusing on updating all existing regulations to enhance aviation safety and security standards in civil aviation. In order to achieve this, the Authority took important steps such as signing a Memorandum of Understanding with EASA. The Authority developed new regulations for the airlines on how to operate the aircraft, in addition to the regulations concerning training of pilots, and the procedures to be followed for the issuance of aviation licenses from the Authority. Also, Qatar, represented by QCAA, signed a memorandum of cooperation with the SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research).
Since the blockade in June 2017, Qatar was able to overcome difficulties and its effects by finding alternatives to ensure the continuation of operations of Qatar Airways and operations to and from Hamad International Airport. Qatar worked on the preparation of a comprehensive technical file supported by arguments and legal data necessary to the ICAO to demand the opening of air corridors over the blockade countries and the implementation of the transit agreement, which is guaranteed by Chicago Convention.
The technical aspect of the Qatari file culminated in ICAO’s decision to open seven air corridors over international waters in the Arabian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman to aircraft registered in Qatar, which contributed to reducing distances, flight time, and ensured the flow of air traffic.
Qatar attaches great importance to the safety and security of airports by keeping pace with the scientific and technological development in order to provide efficient services. The strong growth in the aviation sector in Qatar is reflected in the air traffic services and the efficient use of airspace in the country.
