This week during the International Civil Aviation Organization’s inaugural Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Summit in Montreal, Joby took the first step in securing an air operator certificate from the United Arab Emirates’ General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA)—a requirement to operate commercial air transport in the country.

Company leaders met with the aviation regulator’s director general, presenting a letter of intent to begin the application process.

Joby earlier this year signed multiple agreements with regional Emirati agencies in preparation to fly in the UAE’s two largest cities, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as early as 2026. It announced similar plans for neighboring Saudi Arabia in May.

“There is incredible momentum behind the adoption of clean flight across the UAE, and we’re excited to be working with a wide range of partners, including the GCAA, to lay the groundwork for one of the world’s first electric air taxi networks,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby.

Joby’s all-electric air taxi takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter but flies on fixed wings like a plane, with some help from unique tilting propellers. It is designed for a pilot to fly as many as four passengers, cruising as fast as 200 mph (174 knots).

The company estimates that a trip between Dubai International Airport (OMDB) and the Palm Jumeirah—a group of artificial islands on the city’s waterside—for example, would take about 10 minutes by air taxi versus 45 minutes by car.

Joby’s LOI for an air operator certificate is the first step toward making those flights a reality. Similar to the FAA’s Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate, which Joby obtained in 2022, the approval will authorize the company as a commercial operator. The certification process comprises five phases, culminating in GCAA observation of flight operations and pilot and mechanic training. The company will also devise air taxi operating manuals and host inspections of its UAE facilities.

“Our readiness to support these advanced technologies underscores our commitment to fostering advanced air mobility solutions that will be part of the future of transportation in the UAE and beyond,” said Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director general of the GCAA.

Joby is not alone in the Middle East. The region has become somewhat of a hot spot for eVTOL manufacturers in recent years, luring companies with the promise of extensive government support and financing.

For example, rival air taxi firm Archer Aviation similarly plans to fly in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, where, despite Joby’s claim to exclusive air taxi operator rights, Archer CEO Adam Goldstein believes the competitors can coexist.

“We believe we will be able to operate [in Dubai], and we will have a strong hub out of Abu Dhabi,” Goldstein told FLYING in March. “We’re glad to see Joby coming to the region and leaning in, because we think it’s a good early market for eVTOL players to start.”

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The company on Monday expanded its partnership with Emirati aviation services provider Falcon Aviation to build a vertiport network for eVTOL air taxi operations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the two largest cities in the UAE. San Jose, California-based Archer expects the UAE to be its first international launch market.

Archer and Falcon initially agreed upon a deal that would see Falcon operate “scores” of Midnight aircraft across the UAE and expand the former’s urban air mobility (UAM) ecosystem. The collaboration includes the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), the city’s central government hub for investment.

Archer believes it is the first to announce an eVTOL air taxi route between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which it said is “one of the world’s most prominent and congested commute corridors.” The manufacturer estimated flights will last 30 minutes: a fraction of the two hours it could take to drive between the cities during peak traffic.

“Partnering with established operators such as Falcon Aviation, as well as the capital of the Emirates with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, has been key to quickly building our presence in the region,” said Archer founder and CEO Adam Goldstein. “We look forward to paving the way for the introduction of our Midnight aircraft to the region, which will set the stage for the UAE to become a global leader in urban air mobility.”

Preparing for (Vertical) Takeoff

Falcon last week upgraded its heliport terminal at Atlantis, The Palm, in Dubai, a hub for sightseeing trips above the city’s skyline. The terminal also provides helicopter charter flights between the hotel and Abu Dhabi, as well as other nearby cities. As early as next year, Falcon will operate Midnight out of that site and its Marina Mall heliport in Abu Dhabi.

The vertiports will connect the two cities with routes almost entirely over water, providing scenic views for passengers. At the same time, Archer claims Midnight will be quieter, safer, and more affordable than comparable helicopters.

“For nearly two decades, Falcon Aviation has been at the forefront of helicopter passenger transport in the UAE,” said Ramandeep Oberoi, CEO of Falcon. “Our partnership with Archer is a leap into the future, as we prepare to offer flying car services together in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, continuing our tradition of world-class transportation solutions.”

Archer’s vision is for Midnight to swap 60-90-minute commutes by car for back-to-back, 10-30-minute electric air taxi flights, with only 10-12 minutes of charge time between. Designed for a pilot plus up to four passengers, the aircraft has a range of 52 sm (45 nm) and cruise speed of 130 knots.

In addition to service in the U.S. in partnership with United Airlines, Archer intends to serve the entire UAE and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

“We have made rapid progress in the UAE over the past three months since announcing Abu Dhabi and Dubai will be home to our first international Midnight flights as soon as 2025,” said Nikhil Goel, chief commercial officer of Archer. “We’re proud to be the first to announce plans to operate between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, along with vertiport infrastructure at both ends of the commuter journey.”

The ADIO, which is supporting Archer’s UAE launch with economic incentives, last year agreed to host the company’s engineering and manufacturing facilities within the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry (SAVI) cluster, an urban hub designed to speed the development of new land, air, and sea vehicles. Manufacturing partner Stellantis—which will support Midnight mass production and is aiding the construction of Archer’s scaled manufacturing plant in Covington, Georgia—will help build them.

Archer last year also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Emirati private heliport operator Air Chateau International for the planned purchase of 100 Midnight air taxis, which Air Chateau will operate regionwide. The partners are further exploring infrastructure investments, such as for vertiports and electric aircraft chargers, in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Complicating matters somewhat is the presence of eVTOL air taxi competitor Joby Aviation.

Joby last month signed an agreement with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA)—the government entity that regulates the city’s public transport—for the exclusive right to operate electric air taxi services in Dubai for six years following the launch of service. That’s expected to happen in 2025 or 2026.

However, while it sounds like the arrangement would prevent Joby’s competitors from flying in Dubai, Archer CEO Adam Goldstein told FLYING that will not be the case.

“I do not believe it will impact our operations in Dubai or our ambitions in Dubai,” said Goldstein. “We believe we will be able to operate there, and we will have a strong hub out of Abu Dhabi. We’re glad to see Joby coming to the region and leaning in, because we think it’s a good early market for eVTOL players to start.”

By stepping up the company’s partnership with Falcon, the Archer CEO is putting his money where his mouth is. Vertiport infrastructure is not cheap, and Archer likely would not pursue it if it believed Dubai to be off the table.

Falcon in 2022 also purchased 35 air taxis from Embraer subsidiary Eve Air Mobility, with the companies announcing plans to launch eVTOL tourism flights in Dubai. China’s EHang and Germany’s Lilium are among other air taxi manufacturers looking to operate in the UAE.

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Joby Aviation, the manufacturer of a five-seat eVTOL design, has signed a definitive agreement with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA), the government entity that regulates the city’s public transport, to launch air taxi operations in the UAE by early 2026, targeting initial service in 2025. The agreement gives Joby exclusive rights to operate air taxis in Dubai for six years, starting from the launch of commercial operations.

Notably, the news follows competitor Archer Aviation’s announcement that it too is planning a UAE expansion in 2026. The manufacturer partnered with local operator Falcon Aviation, which previously stated that it would operate Archer’s Midnight air taxi across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Falcon in 2022 also purchased 35 air taxis from Embraer subsidiary Eve Air Mobility, noting that it planned to launch eVTOL tourism flights in Dubai.

Archer further announced the planned sale of 100 aircraft to Dubai-based operator Air Chateau for $500 million, which intends to service both cities.

While the operational partners of Archer, Eve, and other manufacturers will still be able to fly air taxis in the UAE, only Joby will be authorized to operate in the Dubai region, it said.

“We are excited by Joby’s recent announcement to join Archer in bringing electric air taxis to the UAE region in 2026,” Archer said in a statement to FLYING. “We continue to build on the launch plans we announced last year with our long-term investors, Mubadala, the support of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, and several local operating partners, including Falcon Aviation, Air Chateau, and GAL & AMMROC [Global Aerospace Logistics – Advanced Military Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul Center].”

Signed in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, at the World Governments Summit, Joby’s agreement secures financial assistance and other support from RTA for the entry and maturation of operations in the city.

Joby also signed an agreement with Skyports, which will design, build, and operate four initial vertiport sites across Dubai. The three partners settled on Dubai International Airport (OMDB), Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Dubai Downtown as launch locations.

“[This] landmark agreement delivers on all three ingredients required to successfully launch an air taxi service—a definitive path to operations, well-placed infrastructure supported by dedicated partners, and an aircraft with the capacity and range to deliver meaningful journeys,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby. “We’re excited to be laying the groundwork for the expansion of our service across the wider UAE.”

Joby’s zero-emission air taxi is designed for a pilot to fly up to four passengers on 100 sm (87 nm) trips at speeds up to 200 mph (174 knots). Unlike its competitors, the company plans to operate the aircraft itself. Archer, for example, intends for partner United Airlines to do the flying. Joby, meanwhile, is working with Delta Air Lines to launch service out of New York and Los Angeles in 2025.

According to Joby and RTA, a journey from Dubai International Airport to the Palm Jumeirah—a 45-minute trip by car—is expected to take just 10 minutes by air taxi. The partners are working with the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to develop a regulatory framework for the aircraft’s introduction, building upon FAA guidelines.

“The air taxi service is part of RTA’s efforts to embrace future transportation technologies and offers a novel and efficient mobility option for Dubai’s residents and visitors, enabling fast, safe, and convenient travel to key city spots,” said Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the board of executive directors for RTA. “This service will also enhance seamless multimodal transportation, improving citywide connectivity and ensuring a smooth travel experience for passengers.”

Joby, RTA, and Skyports are now collaborating to design the customer journey, engage stakeholders, and integrate air taxis into Dubai’s wider public transport network. Joby in addition has established a Dubai operational team composed largely of local recruits. It added that it would consider localizing its other business activities in Dubai and the Middle East, which it evidently views as a potentially key market.

The manufacturer will participate in the recently announced Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry (SAVI) cluster established by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), of which Archer is also a member.

Separately, the firm said it will continue its internal flight testing and type certification activities. In November, its production prototype became the first electric air taxi to fly in New York City, taking off from downtown Manhattan. The previous month it began uncrewed flight testing, an important step toward certification.

Joby’s exclusive agreement with RTA could hinder the plans of Archer, Eve, and other competitors. Those companies have announced plans to fly outside of Dubai as well. But the RTA’s decision to tap Joby as the city’s sole air taxi provider will take away—at least for a few years—what appears to be a burgeoning market for future air mobility services.

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Chinese manufacturer EHang, which obtained the watershed approval for its EH216-S air taxi in October, intends to expand operations to the United Arab Emirates through a long-term strategic collaboration with Wings Logistics Hub. The partners will work toward local certification and operations for several EH216 series models, and Wings plans to purchase up to 100 aircraft. Deliveries will begin in 2024, EHang said.

Wings is the passenger eVTOL and logistics technology subsidiary of Technology Holding Company (THC), the tech arm of investment management firm EIH Ethmar International Holding. Ethmar is chaired by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, one of the sons of Abu Dhabi ruler and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, better known as MbZ.

It appears Wings is a relatively new banner for Ethmar and THC, which does not yet list the brand as a subsidiary on its website. The company bills itself as a provider of smart logistics, advanced air mobility (AAM), and smart city solutions, including passenger eVTOL services, vertiports, and urban air mobility (UAM) corridors.

“Introducing electric aviation to the UAE is anticipated to alleviate congestion with zero emissions and, consequently, attract significant foreign direct investment and generate thousands of jobs in the region over the next decade,” said Mohamed Al Dhaheri, a Wings board member and the CEO of THC. “[We] remain steadfast in our commitment to advancing smart and autonomous vehicle technologies for passenger transportation, mobility, logistics, and smart city management in the UAE.”

As part of its expansion, EHang will join the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) Cluster, an urban hub centered in Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City community. SAVI, which launched in October, aims to speed the development of new vehicles across air, land, and sea, and is backed by several Emirati royals. The initiative is led by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), for which Al Dhaheri briefly served as acting executive director.

Earlier this year, a pair of American eVTOL makers—Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation—also joined the SAVI Cluster. Archer plans to set up a new headquarters and engineering facility in the region with an eye toward a 2026 launch, while Joby intends to establish a significant footprint as well. In November, Archer announced the planned sale of 100 air taxis to Air Chateau International, an Emirati private heliport operator, for around $500 million.

In addition, EHang previously announced a partnership with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Economic Development (ADDED) to build a manufacturing plant in the city. The project aims to produce new aircraft, establish a regional command-and-control center, and build infrastructure such as vertiports.

The World’s First Electric Air Taxi

EHang’s expansion news comes just a few months after its self-flying, two-passenger EH216-S achieved type certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), making it the first manufacturer in the world with such an approval. As things stand, it remains the only firm to reach that milestone.

“For the industry, the first type certificate for an eVTOL aircraft is a major step forward, as it shows that a player has met the expectations around safety, reliability, etc. that the regulator imposes to protect the public,” Robin Riedel, who co-leads McKinsey’s Center for Future Mobility, told FLYING in October.

EHang’s autonomous design is a rarity in the eVTOL air taxi space, with most players choosing to fly with an onboard pilot in the early going. Its EH216-S has a 22 sm (19 nm) range and 80 mph (70 knots) cruise speed, both of which are on the lower side compared to other eVTOL air taxi designs.

The manufacturer’s type certification comes with a few key operational limitations—such as restrictions on routing, scheduling, and flights without visual observers—which it said it will gradually lift over time. As it prepares for customer deliveries, which are expected to begin this year, the company is working to obtain production and airworthiness certificates.

EHang is also developing the heavy-lift EH216-L and the firefighting EH216-F, both of which it intends to certify and deploy in the UAE.

The Middle East has seemingly become an increasingly attractive market for eVTOL manufacturers, in part due to the willingness of leaders to invest in AAM projects and experiment with new technologies for planned smart cities.

In December, the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub announced a partnership with vertiport firm VPorts to build a 9-acre AAM integrator center. The hub would support eVTOL flight testing and development and is expected to open next year.

Already, the project has received an initial $40 million investment, and it’s expected to generate nearly $7 billion in revenue for Abu Dhabi and Dubai over the next 25 years.

UAE leaders also published the country’s first national vertiport regulations, and VPorts plans to build the first facility at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (OMRK) north of Dubai. The city’s crown prince in February approved plans to develop a nationwide vertiport network, working with the U.K.’s Skyports to develop widespread infrastructure by 2026. A concept for a facility at Dubai International Airport (OMDB) was unveiled in April.

In addition to Archer and Joby, another U.S. firm, Odys Aviation, hatched plans for service in the UAE in May. Embraer subsidiary Eve Air Mobility, based in Brazil, also intends to launch passenger eVTOL flights in Dubai by 2026. Eve has a preorder for 35 air taxis from Emirati operator Falcon Aviation, which is working with Archer.

EHang’s main competitor in China, AutoFlight, is also partnered with Falcon to bring its Prosperity eVTOL to the Middle East. Germany’s Lilium, meanwhile, picked up an order for 10 Pioneer Edition Jets from Dubai’s ArcosJet, which it announced as its exclusive dealer for private sales in the UAE, Israel, and Cyprus.

EHang is also targeting operations in Europe. In November, it announced plans to build a first-of-its-kind European UAM Center at Spain’s Lleida-Alguaire International Airport (LEDA). The center aims to prepare mainland Europe for UAM services by collecting data on early operations, which will be used to integrate eVTOL services with airport infrastructure, air traffic management systems, and other technologies.

Before flying in the Middle East or Europe, however, EHang will first need to wait for authorities to establish a process for mutual regulation of its CAAC approvals. Depending on the country and regulator, operational restrictions could be added or removed. But cementing the initial type certification should help EHang give authorities an idea of what early operations will entail.

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Ansett, which is based in Australia, said it is partnering with Dynamic to develop a one‐stop training program for airlines and pilots that is a five-minute drive from Dubai World Central Airport (OMDW). 

The company said its new Middle East operation initially will add an ATR 72‐600 full flight simulator to Dynamic’s training facilities, which serve a large number of commercial airlines and business jet operators worldwide.

“Ansett Aviation Training has a proud history of offering simulator training services in Australia, Europe, and Asia,” said Mark Delany, CEO of AAT. “We are delighted to be expanding our services into Dubai and working closely with the teams at Dynamic Advanced Training and Dubai South to develop training solutions for the aviation industry.”

“We are pleased to welcome Ansett Aviation Training to Dynamic Advanced Training’s facility, with whom we are proud to have a partnership,” said Tahnoon Saif, CEO of Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub. “We are confident that the new addition in the center will enhance the capabilities of pilots and airlines through its training solutions and contribute to Dubai’s vision of becoming a leading aviation hub.”

Ansett noted its new training center in Dubai will be ready for operations in September.

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The acquisition will make the twin-engine 4-seater the flagship for multiengine piston (MEP) training for the Emirates’ National Cadet Pilot Programme at Al Maktoum International-Dubai World Central Airport, Emirates Airlines said in a statement. 

The DA42-VI is the newest version of Diamond’s light piston twin. The all-composite aircraft are equipped with 168 hp diesel Austro AE300 engines and the Garmin G1000 NXi integrated flight deck with a three-axis automatic flight control system.

• READ MORE: Lufthansa Aviation Expands Training Fleet

The aircraft order is part of the airline’s larger plan for the cadet programme, according to Captain Abdulla Al Hammadi, vice president of Emirates Flight Training Academy.

“It helps us design a bridging MEP programme for cadets to gain more flying experience while progressing from a single-engine to a light jet aircraft,” he said in a statement Thursday. “It strengthens our offering and makes it more unique, rounded, and robust. Our cadets will benefit hugely as they gain experience on three different types of aircraft, even before they’re licensed.

• READ MORE: Urbe Aero Flight Academy Expands Fleet With Diamond Aircraft

‘‘The new fleet also helps us go above and beyond on complying with the new GCAA guidelines, he continued. ‘‘The DA42-VI is reliable, eco-friendly, and a practical platform for MEP training. We’re confident we’ve made the right choice.”

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The aircraft maker collaborated with Red Bull and the extreme sports promoter XDubai to stage the landing of a Carbon Cub on the helipad atop the 56-story Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai, UAE. Luke Czepiela, a Red Bull Air Race pilot and Carbon Cub owner, flew a modified version of the aircraft onto the pad, which is about 90 feet wide and 695 feet above sea level.

• READ MORE: Behind the Scenes at CubCrafters, Crafting a Cub

“All big moments start with little ideas powered by imagination and the desire to create something special,” stated Patrick Horgan, CubCrafters’ president and CEO. “Red Bull has done many projects over the years that have inspired aviators worldwide, so we were honored to join them on this project to demonstrate the incredible capabilities of the kinds of aircraft our company designs and manufactures.”

“To ensure success, we wanted the airplane best suited to the challenge, and CubCrafters was the obvious choice,” said Michał Graczyk, the event’s aviation project manager. Brad Damm, CubCrafters’ vice president, noted that two years of planning went into the project, and that successfully landing on the helipad “really pushes the limits of what a best-of-class STOL aircraft, and an extremely capable and dedicated pilot, can achieve.” 

• READ MORE: CubCrafters Gets Set To Go Public

Mike Patey—a bush pilot, aviation engineer, and YouTube personality who also owns a Carbon Cub—joined the technical crew in making modifications. “It was a pretty simple formula,” he said. “We cut weight, changed the CG to increase the effectiveness of the brakes, and added extra horsepower.”

Ever since the hotel’s completion in 1999, its helipad has been a setting for promotional events. In 2004, Tiger Woods hit golf balls from the pad before the Dubai Desert Classic tournament. The following year, Roger Federer and Andre Agassi played a tennis match there. In 2013, the helipad seemed especially small as Formula 1 driver David Coulthard performed donuts in his Red Bull racing car before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

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One of the flights took place at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport near Rome and was a collaboration among German eVTOL maker Volocopter, the Roman airport authority and mobility infrastructure companies UrbanV and Atlantia.

According to airport officials, a test pilot flew the Volocopter 2X aircraft at a speed of 40 kilometers per hour, or about 21 knots for five minutes at an altitude of about 131 feet.

• READ MORE: Wisk Unveils Generation 6 eVTOL Air Taxi Prototype

The flight was also a test of a prototype vertiport constructed at the airport for testing the possibilities of eVTOL infrastructure. The demonstration was part of a plan to use eVTOLs as air taxis between the airport and parts of the city by 2024.

The demonstration flight in Dubai was organized by the Dubai International Chamber and Chinese eVTOL maker XPeng.

After taking off, the XPeng X2 two-seat aircraft flew for about 90 seconds. The company says the X2 can fly at up to 130 kilometers per hour, or about 70 knots and has autonomous flight capability. The company says the flight “marks an exciting new era of short-haul flights and intelligent mobility solutions.”

• READ MORE: Company Says It Staged First Race of eVTOL ‘Speeders’

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That’s just one of the takeaways from a summit of more than 50 leaders in the flight training industry gathered in the United Arab Emirates following the Dubai Airshow in November.

Joining together with Emirates Flight Training Academy, market intelligence platform AFM.aero hosted a flight training panel that included the following representatives from around the world:

• Alex Alvarez, owner and CEO of FlyBy, based in Spain. 
• Joel Davidson. CEO of AeroGuard Flight Training Center, based in the U.S. 
• Attie Niemann, owner and executive chairman of 43 Air School (Pty) Ltd., based in South Africa. 
• Cristopher Magdangal, regional director, Asia-Pacific, for Alpha Aviation Group (AAG).

Alvarez shared how he managed to double his ATO in size during the pandemic, and he also provided insights into the European market.

Davidson provided the audience with an optimistic take, by sharing how quickly things improved in the U.S., and the strong pilot demand seen from U.S. airlines.

Niemann highlighted key areas that pilot training industry leaders should closely follow in the coming year, including supply-chain issues, digitization, and addressing the affordability of flight training.

Magdangal shared how Southeast Asia was still battling the pandemic, and how significantly the flight training industry will have shrunk in that part of the world as a result of the pandemic’s challenges.

Coming Out of the Pandemic

Maximilian Buerger, managing director of AFM.aero, said, “As we emerge out of the pandemic we wanted to bring together the leaders of this industry to discuss the effects of the pandemic, provide market intelligence data and support collaboration to accelerate the recovery of this industry.”

In a further discussion with FLYING, Buerger underlined the disparity between ATOs in North America, Europe—and other more-developed nations—and the remainder of the world in terms of their ability to navigate the challenges of the pandemic. 

“For a year and a half, now, we’ve been collecting all these data points, globally, we have that data sourcing network, and let me tell you, outside of the U.S., it’s looking pretty crazy. 

“So in the West, in the developed world, you have flight training that continued in most countries, you had relatively short lockdowns, you had quick vaccinations, and—most important—you had government support.”

“Everywhere outside, you didn’t have government support. So, to give you a couple of examples. In the Philippines, before the pandemic, they had 44 flight schools. Now, they have…the number of flight schools operating in the Philippines you can count on one hand. Because there hasn’t been any government support and because the country has been locked down for a year and a half.”

Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA) launched in 2017 with an integrated flight training program using Cirrus SR22 and Embraer Phenom 100 aircraft. EFTA’s new campus and associated infrastructure will allow the ATO to train more than 250 cadets per year. 

Capt. Abdulla Al Hammadi, who is vice president of EFTA, said, “It is our honor to be hosting the first Pilot Training Industry Leadership Networking event at this year’s highly anticipated Dubai Airshow, which also coincides with the UAE’s golden jubilee. 

“The inaugural event is not only the first of its kind, but also a unique opportunity to bring together leaders and thinkers from the pilot training world to exchange ideas and discuss the future trends in the field. EFTA continues to contribute to the UAE aviation sector, with Dubai leading the global aviation industry on the path of recovery from the pandemic through bespoke innovations and investments.”

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