Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Municipality ink MoU to further drone initiative

The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and Dubai Municipality have signed an agreement to further their collaboration on the Dubai Horizons project, which is focused on planning drone flight routes and landing sites.

The MoU outlines a framework for coordination and integration between the two organisations in line with the strategic plans for the drone project, according to a report published by Dubai Media Office.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of DCAA, chairman of Dubai Airports, and chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group said: “The Dubai Horizons project aims to create the cooperative networks needed to provide the ideal environment for the deployment and growth of new drone technologies as well as align Dubai’s air dome system and unmanned aircraft traffic management with the emirate’s comprehensive urban plan.

“The project, which also supports Dubai’s future air mobility plans, will contribute to raising Dubai’s global competitiveness and achieving its ambitious goals.”

Dawoud Al Hajri, director general of Dubai Municipality said: “By enhancing the process of site planning for airports and airfields designated for drones, the new agreement will support the development of the aviation industry. Our partnership with the DCAA will strengthen Dubai’s position as a centre of innovation in the aviation industry and create an encouraging climate for investment in the sector.”

Both entities aim to leverage their expertise in creating geospatial data for Dubai in addition to their collective know-how in the unmanned aerial vehicle sector.

The plan seeks to compile all the geospatial information needed to create a strong infrastructure for the industry, complemented by Dubai Municipality’s expertise in urban planning.

The MoU aims to achieve the goals and strategies of the Dubai Horizons project, in accordance with the emirate’s future air mobility plans, including planning unmanned aerial vehicle flight routes, airport locations, and the vertiport for unmanned aerial vehicles.

In the presence of @HHAhmedBinSaeed, @DcaaDubai & @DMunicipality sign MoU to boost cooperation on Dubai Horizons project to achieve the goals of the #Dubai Horizons project focused on planning drone flight routes and landing sites. https://t.co/deb4dcRcbj pic.twitter.com/osdNBlRYuO

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) May 17, 2023

Three-year drone project

The project, which will run for three years from the initiative’s launch date, will be implemented in Dubai Silicon Oasis as a trial run.

Dubai Silicon Oasis has been chosen as the designated entity for implementing the Dubai Horizons project.

In accordance with the MoU, Dubai Municipality will provide the DCAA a direct link to an online portal that contains databases, digital data of a geospatial nature, and 3D charts in Dubai Silicon Oasis, as well as the servers and geospatial databases required to store this data and 3D charts and publish them on the appropriate systems.

The DCAA will offer the Dubai Municipality with geospatial digital data and information related to unmanned aerial vehicle flight routes, airport locations and the vertiport for unmanned aerial vehicles. Additionally, the DCAA will assist Dubai Municipality by facilitating the procedures for carrying out the first phase of the Dubai Horizons project by hosting workshops and providing the Municipality with the approved regulations, technical specifications and documents of the unmanned aerial vehicle route plans that have been approved by the partners.

Two other agreements signed

In other news, the DCAA signed two significant agreements have been signed. The first agreement was a partnership focused on the integrated link between the DCAA and Dubai Aviation City Corporation, and the latter was signed for the same purpose between the DCAA and the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority.

These agreements will enhance cooperation and integrated links using ‘Web Service’ technology for issuing commercial activity permits in the aviation sector,  enabling immediate approvals from DCAA for commercial licensing transactions in the Al Maktoum International Airport and Dubai Airport Freezone.

Photo courtesy: Dubai Media Office