The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) introduced a new protocol aimed at combating the spread of communicable diseases during air travel. Announced on Tuesday during the Collaborative Arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation (CAPSCA) joint meeting in Germany, the protocol emphasizes swift reporting by operators’ stations and active collaboration with local health authorities.
According to WAM, the initiative has received high praise from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and its member states for its innovative approach to mitigating significant public health risks associated with air travel. Saif Mohamed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the GCAA, highlighted the protocol’s critical role in enhancing global aviation safety and public health resilience through international cooperation.
Aqeel Al Zarouni, Assistant Director-General of the Aviation Safety Affairs Sector, described the protocol as a significant milestone that aims to strengthen airport capacities and foster closer ties between the public health and civil aviation sectors.