“Aviation Security Week” kicked off yesterday in Doha, under the title “Protecting Civil Aviation from Unmanned Aircraft Systems,” which is hosted by the General Authority of Civil Aviation and organized by the Arab Civil Aviation Organization and the US Transportation Security Administration, during the period from November 11 to 14. Ongoing, with the participation of 15 countries.
“Aviation Security Week” represents an important opportunity to exchange experiences and actively participate, which contributes to enhancing aviation security in the region and around the world, and to discuss many topics, most notably the threats of drones to aviation, and ways to protect vital civil aviation infrastructure and enhance cooperation in this field.
The opening was attended by Mr. Mohammed bin Faleh Al-Hajri, in charge of managing the work of the General Civil Aviation Authority, His Excellency Mr. Timmy Davis, Ambassador of the United States of America to the country, and a number of senior figures from the organizers of the event.
During the opening session, Mr. Mohammed bin Faleh Al-Hajri delivered a speech in which he thanked His Excellency the Minister of Transportation for his sponsorship of this event, and to both the Arab Civil Aviation Organization and the American Transportation Security Administration for their continued support and fruitful cooperation in organizing this important event, which constitutes an important step towards deepening cooperation in the field of Civil aviation.
Dedicate efforts
During his speech, Al-Hajri also stressed the need to devote efforts to protecting aviation, saying: “There is unprecedented progress and challenges imposed by modern technology, especially unmanned aircraft systems, which offer very wonderful opportunities but at the same time pose new security concerns that require the establishment of legal and regulatory frameworks to ensure their proper use.” Optimization and mitigation of potential risks.
He added: “Achieving aviation security in the face of these threats requires a unified international response and consensus in policies and procedures through close cooperation between countries and international organizations in developing advanced security strategies that guarantee the highest levels of protection of the safety of global airspace.”
Difficulties and challenges
In press statements on the sidelines of the forum, Mr. Mohammed bin Faleh Al-Hajri said that Qatar’s hosting of the second edition of the “Aviation Security Week” conference, which discusses ways to protect civil aviation from unmanned aircraft systems, reflects the leading and prestigious global position of the civil aviation sector in the country, pointing out The conference is extremely important as it discusses one of the most prominent challenges facing the air transport system.
Al-Hajri pointed out that there is close cooperation between the civil aviation system in the Arab countries on the one hand, and the US Transportation Security Administration on the other hand, noting that the conference witnesses the presence of representatives from 15 countries in addition to 90 prominent experts. Al-Hajri expressed his optimism that the “Aviation Security Week” will provide solutions to confront the difficulties and challenges that threaten the safety of civil aviation, explaining that the recommendations will be submitted to the security authorities concerned with civil aviation in the countries of the region.
Promoting information exchange
For his part, Engineer Abdel Nabi Manar, Director General of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization, said that protecting airports and aircraft from unmanned aircraft systems is a topic demanded by all countries, and in this context, we are working together to create favorable conditions to enhance the exchange of information and expertise between our different regions. He added: “Today we live in an era in which digital transformation and networking between systems are increasing, making civil aviation vulnerable to complex and sophisticated cyber attacks. Therefore, securing communications systems between aircraft and the ground, and ensuring the safety of air navigation systems, requires comprehensive and integrated strategies.”
Training and awareness
The Director General of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization stressed that the forum is an opportunity to discuss the measures that countries, organizations and industry must take to keep pace with the rapid development of technologies, operations and advanced air mobility, as unmanned aircraft systems are not only related to technology, but also to the human element. Because training and awareness are also essential elements of the security system.
Manar stressed the importance of international cooperation and the exchange of experiences and information about threats, which is vital. Which contributes to enhancing countries’ capabilities to effectively address these threats.