Manafez dubai english may june 2017

Issued by the General Directorate of Residency & Foreigners Affairs-Dubai

www.manafezdubai.com

Al Marri: GDRFA Dubai committed to enhancing customer experience

GDRFA launches legal advise app Rate of mishandled baggage reduces by 70 per cent

Biometric technology to replace passports soon

Laptop ban not sustainable in the long run

Use your smartphone as passport at Dubai Airports

Issue 31 May - June 2017

A new procedure that enables applicants complete their submissions without visiting any of GDRFAD centers

Ensuring the welfare and happiness of customers

You will receive an SMS from GDRFAD confirming receipt of your application.

Visit the Typing Center that suits your needs in terms of proximity and quality of services.

Submit and receive your applications with convenience Your journey starts and ends at the same place. Visit the closest typing center to you to submit and complete your application without visiting any of GDRFAD centers.

You can also use and apply through the mobile app and enquire about all necessary documents by selecting the user guide.

For clarifications, get in touch with us at:

Engineered and powered by

Available on app stores. Search for GDRFAD or scan the QR code

You will receive a second SMS from GDRFAD about completing your application and confirming your delivery location.

Welcome

Message

Supporting the determined ones

T

he launch of unified national policy for special needs people by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE’s Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and the announcement to address them as “people with determination”, reflects the keenness of our leadership to grant equal rights to all, including people with determination and encourage them to give their best and accomplish the heights that they deserve.

This initiative adds to the ‘My community .. a city for everyone’ initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, which aims to make Dubai a friendly city for the disabled by 2020.

There is no doubt that Dubai is taking numerous initiatives focussed on people with determination, but we must keep in mind that these initiatives are entirely to ensure that people with determination are able to give their best and contribute to the development because they deserve this.

The GDRFA in Dubai has been working with all sectors of the society as well as with government and private institutions toward raising awareness on the rights of people with determination and supporting them by enhancing their skills.

The Department has also strengthened its efforts towards providing the necessary services and guidance to empowering people with determination and giving opportunities to improve their standard of living, achieve independence and remove obstacles that prevent them from giving their best. 

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai is actively working toward achieving the vision of our leadership and we have’ launched seven intiatives for our employees and customers with disabilities with a view to ensuring speedy and convenient processing of transactions. These initiatives are ‘We are ready’, Falak Tayyeb, ‘Do not hesitate’, ‘My Guide’, ‘Your convenience is our happiness’, ‘Guide Me’ and ‘Rest assured’.

Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri Director General, General GDRFA - Dubai

| Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 | 1

GDRFA Message

GDRFA

in History

October 1971 Pursuant to an order promulgated by the then Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, two departments were established: Central Immigration Department and Ports and Borders Department October 1972 The two departments were merged with the UAE’s Ministry of Interior and Federal Law No. 17 concerning the naturalization and passports was promulgated.

1973 Federal Law No. (6) concerning Immigration and Residency was promulgated as the first law regulating the entry and residency of expatriates in United Arab Emirates.

1977 The two departments were merged and the new Department shifted to a building in the ministries complex 1982 The Administration shifted to the present building during the tenure of Colonel Mohammad Al-Ghaith 2003 The building was completely refurbished during the tenure of Brigadier General Saeed Bin Belaila 1999 Naturalization and Residency Administration, Dubai, established a branch at Hatta Fort 1995 Jebel Ali Port branch was inaugurated

2 | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 |

Our Vision: To have the UAE as one of the most secure and safest countries in the world.

Our Mission (MOI):

To work efficiently and effectively towards enhancing the quality of life in the UAE community by providing security, traffic, reform, residency services and ensuring safety of lives and properties.

Our Mission (GDRFA):

For the happiness of the people, we offer excellent and fast naturalization, residence and ports services.

Our Values:       

Justice Team-Work Excellence courtesy Integrity Loyalty Social responsibility

Strategic objectives:  Promote safety and security.  Promote public confidence in the effectiveness of services provided.  Optimal use of intelligence.  Ensure all administrative services are provided based on quality, efficiency and transparency standards.

To communicate with GDRFA: Location: Aljaffilya - Bur Dubai PO Box : UAE – Dubai 4333 Email: amer@dnrd.ae Toll Free Number: 04 3139999 - 8005111 Working Hours: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM GDRFA-Dubai http:// www.dnrd.ae Dubai Airport Freezone http://www.dafz.ae Dubai Public Prosecution http://www.dxbpp.gov.ae Dubai Municipality https://www.dm.gov.ae

Department of Economic Development http://www.dubaided.gov.ae Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing http://www.dubaitourism.ae Land and Property Department http://www.dubailand.gov.ae

Contents

GDRFA

News

GDRFA Photographs by: Abdulrahman Abdullah Sanjeev Kochan

More than 250,000 Chinese tourists visited Dubai in the last five months since granting the facility

UAE

Monthly newsletter issued by GDRFA-Dubai P6

News UAE tops Arab youth’s favourite countries

Honorary President Major General Mohammed Ahmed Almarri Director General

General Supervision Major General Obaid Muhair Bin Suroor Deputy Director General

P 16

Rate of mishandled baggage reduces by 70 per cent within the last decade

General Coordinator Major Khalid Al Rahma Editorial Consultant Ghassan Suleiman Creative Manager Mohammed Al Jarouf Executive Editor Shveta Pathak

Strategic Technology Partner of GDRFA-Dubai

P 24

New process to go beyond SmartGate electronic border processing system

Official Courier

Advertise with us Content, Production, Marketing & Advertising Nadd Al Shiba PR and Event Management Phone: + 9714 2566707 Fax: + 9714 2566704 Website www.naddalshiba.com Email info@naddalshiba.com

P 26 | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 | 3

GDRFA News

Motion sensor system and Smart Gates improving service levels, reduce passenger wait times at Dubai International

Al Marri: GDRFA Dubai committed to enhancing customer experience

P

assenger wait times at Dubai International (DXB) have dropped by as much as 10 per cent during the first quarter of 2017 thanks to the implementation of new technologies at the world’s busiest airport for international passenger traffic.

Recent results show that in the first three months of 2017, 84 per cent of transfer passengers were processed within 5 minutes, 68 per cent of arrival passengers were processed within 15 minutes, and 87 per cent of departing passengers were processed within ten minutes.

The first technology driving down transaction times and queues at 4 | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 |

immigration check points is Smart Gates. Smart Gates, and specifically a new service that enables the use of Emirates ID cards to pass through automated immigration gates at DXB, has pushed down transaction times to an average of 10 to 15 seconds per passenger. Since its introduction last year over 1.3 million UAE users have taken advantage of the service.

Launched last year by GDRFA, Emirates Identity Authority and Dubai Airports, the system can quickly, accurately and efficiently confirm the identity, travel plans and eligibility of UAE residents to enter and depart the country.

Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General, GDRFA Dubai, said the launch of the facility of using Emirates ID at

GDRFA News

airports has been appreciated by all users as they are able to complete the procedures in a record time of less than 10-15seconds.

Al Marri said the GDRFA Dubai is committed to enhance customer experience by ensuring speedy and comfortable procedures, toward which the best use of smart technology plays a key role.

The highly advanced service is the first of its kind in the region’s airports and will further enhance the reputation of Dubai International Airport as well as ensure happiness and comfort of the passengers, while, at the same time, enhancing the level of approved security procedures, he added.

cated motion sensor system that allows the airport to track queues in real time.

The system consists of a series of 530 sensors that have been installed at crucial passenger processing areas in Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 at DXB. The sensors track the movement of people, collecting and computing valuable data like passenger wait times and queue lengths, and based on those factors, calculating the prevailing level of service.

The data is conveyed via a simple mobile application in use by more than 5,000 operational staff across Dubai Airports, airlines, control authorities working at the airport.

Completely free of charge and requiring no pre-registration, the service is available on some 120 Smart Gates across DXB and makes passing through immigration fast and convenient for all UAE residents.

The mobile application alerts all teams in real time and allows Dubai Airports operational staff to quickly identify bottlenecks and facilitate the deployment of resources to address them. Terminal 2 implementation is slated to take place during 2017.

The second technology behind shorter wait times is a sophisti-

“This automated system provides us with timelier and more

accurate data more quickly than the manual system that was used previously,” said Frank McCrorie, Dubai Airports’ Senior Vice President of Operations at DXB. “As a result, the operations team and other organisations that work across the airport now have a bird’s eye view of bottlenecks, allowing them to better manage staffing levels and lanes, and improve the overall customer experience. We have more work to do in this area, but we are pleased with progress to date.”

The access to historical, day-today, month-on-month data also means Dubai Airports’ planning teams can identify trends and predict problems before they occur. The analysis has enhanced collaborative decision making between stakeholders and boosted service levels.

Both technologies support Dubai Airports’ DXB Plus programme designed to improve service while increasing capacity to 118 million passengers at DXB by 2018. 

| Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 | 5

GDRFA News

With visa-on-arrival, Chinese tourists increase

More than 250,000 Chinese tourists visited Dubai in the last five months since granting the facility

U

p to 265,698 Chinese tourists visited Dubai in the past five months since the UAE began granting visa on arrival for Chinese nationals, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) has announced.

The GDRFA said that since the announcement by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in 2016 on granting Chinese tourists visa on arrival instead of having to secure visas before they travel to the UAE, the GDRFA has been working to facilitate the entry of Chinese nationals to the country based on best practices.

Major-General Mohammad Ahmad Al Marri, Director-General’ of GDRFA, said the Dubai Inter-

6 | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 |

national Airport immigration officers welcomed 308,794 Chinese visitors between November 2016 and March 2017. A total of 265,698 tourists were granted free visa on arrival in Dubai for a period of 60 days during the same period.

Al Marri highlighted the importance that the UAE places on its strategic partnership with China, noting that enhancing cooperation between the two countries strengthens the status of the UAE globally. “Our wise leadership has affirmed that its rela-

tions with China is strategic and of great priority. It seeks to expand its cooperation to serve the common objectives and interests of the two countries in all fields.”

He added that “the UAE, and Dubai in particular, is a tourist destination with visitors coming from all over the globe.”

“The UAE is an economic partner with many countries and it is important to have this kind of partnership and cooperation with all countries, especially with a large country like China.” 

GDRFA

News

YOUR HAPPINES IS OUR FOCUS

© 2012 ZAJEL COURIER S

| Manafez Dubai | April 2016 | 13 | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 |7

GDRFA News

GDRFA launches app for legal advice on residency related issues T

he General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) has launched ‘Smart Legal Adviser’, a smartphone app to advise people on residency- or labour-related legal issues in Dubai.

The service provides legal assistance to people facing issues with temporary work permits, absconding complaints, deposit refund, among others.

Individuals can also raise issues like arbitrary termination, appeal absconding complaints and passport seizure, apply for renewing and cancelling resi-

dency permits. Major-General Mohammad Ahmad Al Marri, Director-General of GDRFA Dubai, appreciated the efforts in the directorate’s legal affairs department which had managed to address the public’s legal problems in a quick and easy manner.

“It’s a smart service launched in January 2016, and it provides legal advices to individuals.

Officials respond within 48 hours now. The response time will be brought down to a few minutes in future,” Al Marri said. A group of

officers who have degrees in law handle the requests. “Anyone can use the service even from outside the country without the need to come to our department,” he added.

A legal adviser with GDRFA Dubai, Colonel Ali Al Zaabi, said the app service has received 3,024 requests since the launch.

“We are looking to shape the future by changing our legal system from the traditional style to the modern smart style to help our customers save time,” Al Zaabi said. 

GDRFA customer happiness centres change timings

T

he General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai has announced a change of working hours for its customer happiness centres — Dnata centre in Deira and Dubai Festival City — as part of GDRFA’s endeavour to provide the best service to customers.

Under the new timings, the centres will be open from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm.

Major General Mohammad Ahmad Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA in Dubai, said: “We are keen to facilitate the public 8 | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 |

transactions to encourage the use of GDRFA smart services through its smart application or through its website. We are looking to speed up transactions to save time and effort for customers and to ease crowding.”

He said that customers and members of the public can also use other channels of communication to contact GDRFA, including the Amer toll-free number (8005111), which operates 24/7, or through applications and social media accounts. 

Our

Message

UAE Wallet

T

he launch of the world’s first-of-its-kind UAE Wallet app is another remarkable achievement which will greatly enhance passenger experience.

The project was recently launched in cooperation between the office of Lt General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chairman of Police and Public Security in Dubai, Emirates Airline and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA Dubai).

With the launch of this facility, Dubai has taken another leap toward achieving its long- term vision of the next generation smart borders project, which will transform procedures and systems for travelers passing through the airports.

After registering on the UAE Wallet app, the users can present the required travel machine readable barcodes generated within UAE Wallet app to access airport electronic gates. The UAE Wallet, in the initial phase, will contain the personal ID, passport details, and smart gate card data of the traveller and will later link data of UAE nationals and residents into the wallet so people don’t need to show their documents when transacting in any government department.

Dubai International Airport is the first airport in the world to adopt this intelligent system that allows the traveler to use Smart phone at smart travel gates, instead of a passport, helping him to complete the procedures within seconds.

The UAE Wallet Project delivers an electronic repository for UAE nationals, and residents. It stores personal official documents including scanned and electronic copies of identity documents, passport copy, personal image of customers and their dependents.

Registered users can also view information of passport, residence visa, and Emirates ID documents, belonging to them and their

dependents. This includes the ability to check the validity of the documents.

The development in the industry of ports and borders, has been remarkable particularly as it works on two aspects, firstly strengthening the security measures to address the increasing security risks and challenges; and secondly, speedy completion of procedures for travellers to enhance their travel experience.

With passenger numbers worldwide set to increase from numbers of 3.4 billion in 2016 to more than 7 billion passengers by 2032, according to IATA’s expectations, the industry faces further challenges to maintain security particularly the risks to cyber security.

Our efforts and initiatives in the present will help us reach the future that the UAE government wants us to reach in terms of being the best country in the field of borders, both in terms of our systems and procedures as well as our people who work in this industry and through their professionalism and friendly approach, contribute to enhancing passenger experience. 

Major General Obaid Muhair bin Suroor Deputy Director General GDRFA-Dubai | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 | 9

Cover Story

UAE Wallet app enables passengers to clear departure procedures within 9 to 12 seconds

Use your smartphone as passport at Dubai Airports

P

assengers departing from Dubai International Airport can now use their smart phones instead of passports at the smart gates and pass through electronic gates within 9 to 12 seconds with the launch of a new UAE Wallet.

The project was launched by Lt General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, deputy chairman of police and public

10 | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 |

security in Dubai and Major-General Mohammad Ahmad Al Marri, Director-General of the General

Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA Dubai), cooperation with Emirates

Cover

Story

a government service. The UAE Wallet helps smart transformation in Dubai and the UAE, including the materialization of zero-paper strategy declared by our leadership.

The UAE Wallet, in the initial phase, will contain the personal ID, passport details, and smart gate card data of the traveller and will later link data of UAE nationals and residents into the wallet so people don’t need to show their documents when transacting in any government department.

Airline at the Dubai International Airport recently.

The UAE Wallet in line with the UAE vision 2021 and the directions of the wise leadership to provide easy and fast government services for all customers.

Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri said: “The project is in line with the vision of our wise leadership to ensure speedy and comfortable services to all our customers and enhance passenger experience. Using the UAE Wallet passengers will be able to complete the departure

procedures within 9 to 15 seconds by only scanning their barcode.

The UAE Wallet can be downloaded on Apple Store ad users can register on the UAE Wallet any time before their travel day.

After registering, they can present the required travel machine readable barcodes generated within UAE Wallet app to access airport electronic gates.

One of the main objectives of the UAE Wallet is to support seamless integration among different entities during the execution of

The UAE Wallet Project delivers an electronic repository for UAE nationals, and residents. It stores personal official documents including scanned and electronic copies of identity documents, passport copy, personal image of customers and their dependents.

It also provides the users with functionalities to easily maintain the documents with updates, uploads and the ability to access on need or share documents when required by government entities for quick and easy processing of government services and transactions.

Registered users can also view information of passport, residence visa, and Emirates ID documents, belonging to them and their dependents. This includes the ability to check the validity of the documents.

For now, the UAE Wallet app can be used in Terminal 3. It will be operational in all terminals after the wallet is linked with other airlines. ď‚… | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 | 11

UAE News

Taqdeer Award launches 2nd edition

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed:

Taqdeer focussed on developing balanced and mutually rewarding employer-employee relationship

H

is Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, and the Patron of Taqdeer Award, said Taqdeer Award is fast moving toward achieving its goal of enhancing the reputation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as an exemplary labour market setting benchmarks in labour welfare practices, which will also benefit the nation’s economy.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan expressed his appreciation for the success of the award in its first cycle, which witnessed a strong response from companies keen on participating as well as attracted attention from outside the UAE. He said Taqdeer Award is an initiative in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE’s Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, towards making Dubai a city of the future, as reflected in the recent major initiatives including the Dubai 10X. 12 | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 |

Dubai has 9,854 factories, 283 companies in construction sector

His Highness praised the efforts of the award teams and urged them to continue working toward achieving more success in the second edition, especially as the award has been expanded to include companies and factories operating in free zones, in addition to the construction companies in Dubai.

His Highness the Crown Prince of Dubai also directed all organisations and companies to provide full support to the award and participate in this in this initiative and show their keenness toward the welfare and care of their workers.

Taqdeer Award is a part of Dubai’s initiatives toward excellence and ensuring the happiness and welfare of the people of Dubai regardless of religion or nationality and realise Dubai’s vision of becoming one of the world’s best places to work and live.

Major General Obaid Muhair Bin Suroor, Deputy Director General, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai and Chairman of Taqdeer Award, expressed gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his patronage and support for the award. “This

UAE News

valuable support has strengthened the position of the award to reach greater heights.

The award has also received a lot of interest from international organisations who are keen on implementing the award in their countries,” he said.

Addressing a press conference to announce the launch of Taqdeer Award’s second cycle, Obaid said: “In its second cycle, we expect the award to be even more successful on the road to enhancing the UAE’s reputation on the regional and international arenas in the field of workers’ care.”

“The award will ensure the workers’ rights are protected in accordance with international conventions and according to the standards adopted at the local and international levels.”

Obaid appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) towards providing a safe and motivating work environment for workers and working continuously to developing legislative and legal frameworks that safeguard the rights of workers and provide them a decent way of life.

Thanking His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, for his support to the Taqdeer Award, Dr. Mohammed Al Zarouni, Director General, Dubai Airports Free Zone (Dafza), said “The patronage by His Highness reflects the wise leadership of UAE on the well-being of the workforce and the preservation of their human and labor rights, valuing their tireless efforts and their ambitious role in building the future.

The Dubai Free Zone authorities pay particular attention to the practices

Certified assessors to evaluate applications

of foreign companies against their labour workforce by encouraging them to follow the highest standards of safety and security to ensure the protection of workers’ rights and wellbeing.”

Dr Al Zarooni added: “The opportunity for free zone companies to participate in the Taqdeer Award is an encouraging boost for them to compete in providing maximum care and the high welfare of their labour workforce, and to appreciate those who have the best world-class practices in safeguarding labour rights. According to recent statistics from the Dubai Statistics Center, there are more than 338,000 workers in 34,000 companies in the free zones in the Emirate of Dubai which makes the competition very interesting to witness. The award positively translates and em-

phasises the need to comply with the directives of UAE and Dubai’s wise leadership in offering the necessary means to ensure the happiness, satisfaction, and wellbeing of all people, including workers.”

Scope of the award

In its first cycle, the award focussed on construction companies and included over 280 companies employing more than half a million workers.

Due to the success of the award and the high demand, the award has been extended companies working in the free zone ahead of the initial target of including these companies in 2019.

In the second cycle, the award includes factories, companies in construction which employ more than 100 workers each.

According to the Dubai Statistics Centre, there are over 9,854 factories operating in Dubai in different categories. Dubai has over 283 companies and more than 500,000 workers in construction sector.  | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 | 13

UAE News

Visa waiver for UAE nationals travelling to Japan

U

AE Nationals who posess e passports will soon be able to visit Japan visa-free for up to 30 days after pre-registering, the Japanese Embassy in Abu Dhabi has announced .

Under the new rules, which come into effect from July 1, Emiratis with ordinary e-passports can fill in a simple form and pre-register at Japanese embassies or consulates around the world, free of charge.

their passport expires — whichever comes first.

There, their passport will be registered and returned the next day.

Registration can be made without any specific travel plans to Japan — and the process can be done by any person designated by the passport holder such as a relative or driver.

Holders of the newly registered epassport can then enter Japan as many times as they want during a three-year period or whenever 14 | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 |

The Japanese Embassy said the procedure has been much simplified and accelerated and is free of charge.

From July 1, entry into Japan will

be denied unless the visitor has completed the registration of the e-passport in advance. And in case a visitor granted a certificate of registry has obtained a new epassport, new registration is required.

However, pre-registration will not be needed for those who already possess valid visas for short-term stay.

Those who wish to stay more than 30 days still need to obtain a conventional visa. ď‚…

| Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 | 15

UAE News

UAE tops Arab youth’s favourite countries

T

he UAE has once again topped the world’s countries most young Arabs wish to live in, according to a recent international survey.

With a significant increase in the nation’s popularity compared to previous years, the findings of the ninth annual ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller Arab Youth Survey 2017, have kept the UAE for the sixth year on a row at the pinnacle of choices for young Arabs to live in, with 35 percent of young Arabs surveyed, citing the UAE as their first and foremost preference, a significant increase of 13 percent points over last year.

In another credit to the much-coveted living standard of the country, the UAE again topped other world nations when 36 percent of young Arabs said the UAE is their 16 | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 |

model country, when asked about which state they would like their country to emulate, compared to 23 percent last year.

The US came in second place, with 15 percent, Saudi Arabia and Canada with 14 percent, and Germany on the fifth position with 13 percent.

Looking at the geopolitical situation, a third of young Arab surveyed across 16 countries said the UAE and Saudi Arabia are the top allies of their country, with 36 percent of them putting the UAE slightly ahead of Saudi Arabia, 34 percent, an increase of 8 percentage points from 2016.

Sunil John, Founder & CEO of ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller, said that the survey has consistently reported the UAE as the most desired place for young Arabs to live in and to emulate.

This is a testament to the success of the nation’s model of economic diversification and its focus on creating job opportunities and driving the entrepreneurial skills of young people.

Young Arabs see the UAE as a beacon of hope and by endorsing its development model, they are applauding the vision of the country’s wise leadership, he noted. 

UAE News

Saif bin Zayed receives GCC Directors-General of Passport, Naturalisation and Residency Departments

H

.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, received heads of the participating delegations at the GCC Directors-General meeting of Passport, Naturalisation and Residency Departments, at the UAE Ministry of Interior on Tuesday.

Sheikh Saif was briefed on issues

of the meeting’s agenda, with the aim to serve the joint GCC work.

The resolutions of the meeting would contribute to facilitating the movement of GCC nationals in the GCC states to achieve the aspirations of GCC leaders and citizens, and ensure the security and stability of their countries. Among those who attended the meeting

included Lt. General Saif Abdullah Al Sha’far, Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Interior, Major General Khalifa Hareb Al Khaili, Acting Assistant Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Interior for Naturalisation, Residency and Ports Affairs and Head of UAE delegation at the meeting and other senior police officers. 

UAE Supreme Legislation Committee, Permanent Committee of Labour Affairs to further develop local legislative systems to secure workers’ rights

T

he Supreme Legislation Committee, SLC, has signed an MoU with the Permanent Committee of Labour Affairs, PCLA, to ensure the proper implementation of the legislation regulating em-

ployment affairs in line with the national drive to protect workers’ rights, a strategic priority of the UAE. The MoU was signed by Ahmad Saeed bin Meshar Al Muhairi, Secretary-General of the SLC, and

Major General Obaid Muhair bin Surour, Deputy-Director of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, GDRFA, in his capacity as the Chairman of the PCLA. The parties to the MoU aim to join efforts to achieve a common objective, namely, developing the legislative process and consolidating the legal system in a manner that secures workers’ rights in line with the objectives of Dubai Plan 2021.

The SLC and the PCLA have agreed to work in close coordination in proposing and drafting legislation that supports the sustainable development plans of Dubai and to contribute to developing projects that support legal work relating to the protection of labour rights.  | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 | 17

Middle East News

TAV adds two more airports in Saudi Arabia

T

AV Airports included Qassim and Hail airports in Saudi Arabia to its portfolio following Madinah and Yanbu. TAV, with its partner Al Rajhi Group, will develop the two airports and operate them for 30 years.

Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has disclosed that they have selected TAV Airports, in partnership with Al Rajhi Holding Group, for operating Qassim and Hail International Airports for 30 years. Upon the closing of the selection process, the number of airports operated by TAV worldwide will reach 17 and the company will be operating four airports in Saudi Arabia.

TAV Airports President & CEO Sani Şener stated: “TAV has become one of the world’s highlypreferred brands thanks to the

18 | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 |

know-how acquired in airport construction and operation business. TAV’s success in the Madinah Airport project, which was the first airport privatization project in Saudi Arabia, opened new doors in this country.

In the last two months, TAV has been selected by the Civil Aviation Authority of Saudi Arabia for the development and operation of three more airports. With the addition of Qassim and Hail to our portfolio, the number of passengers in Saudi Arabia will increase to 10.5 million per annum; while the number of passengers at all

airports abroad will reach 25 million. TAV has its signature in the capital city airports of six countries in the Gulf Region, which is the most challenging market of the world. We sustain our growth in the region by working in harmony with our local partners. Furthermore, we continue seizing the opportunities at various regions worldwide”.

Providing service to approximately 2.5 million passengers last year, Qassim and Hail airports will reach approximately 6.5 million passenger capacity per year thanks to the new investments. 

/kindusperfumes www.kindus.ae

| Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 | 19

International News

Facial recognition at US airports soon

U

S airports will reportedly soon get facial recognition systems, designed to track visa holders as they leave the country.

A new project titled Biometric Exit is slated to soon be implemented across all US airports and aims to use facial matching systems to identify visa holders boarding international flights, according to reports.

All international flights and border crossing in the US are expected to soon incorporate facial recognition, according to a report by The Verge.

Customs and Border Protection began testing facial recognition sys-

tems at Dulles Airport in 2015, then expanded the tests to New York’s JFK Airport last year. Face-reading check-in kiosks will be appearing at Ottawa International Airport this spring, and British Airways is rolling out a similar system at Lon-

don’s Heathrow Airport, comparing faces captured at security screenings with a separate capture at the boarding gate. Now, a new project is poised to bring those same systems to every international airport in America. 

Sydney Airport introduces indoor Google Maps to aid passenger navigation

S

ydney Airport has announced a new indoor Google Maps feature which will empower its visitors to navigate through the airport directly from the palms of their hands. The new initiative delivers the most up-to-date terminal loca-

tion information via indoor Google Maps and will allow millions of passengers to travel through the airport using familiar technology. Sydney Airport’s general manager for technology, Stuart Rattray, said the introduction of indoor Google Maps

enhanced the airport’s service to passengers.

“We’re pleased to welcome indoor Google Maps across our terminals, and we’re confident this new interactive feature will assist passengers with a more seamless journey through the airport,” said Rattray.

The initiative is part of Sydney Airport’s technology strategy, which has seen the airport roll out a range of new and customised technology measures, including free Wi-Fi, self-service check-in, automated bag drops, SmartGates, and multilingual wayfinding e-directories. 

20 | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 |

| Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 | 21

International News

Auckland Airport uses loyalty based app programme to offer personalised services

A

uckland Airport has introduced a new loyalty programme, through which it will provide passengers with personalised information, services and retail offers when they are travelling through the airport.

The airport is inviting travellers and other customers to join Strata Club, its new, innovative, appbased programme designed to recognise their travel choices with personalised services and benefits.

Strata Club is a free-to-join programme that allows customers to tailor their experience at Auckland Airport and gain immediate online access to a growing number of travel benefits. Strata Club Benefits are offered in Tiers based on a customer’s purchases over a year.

They are available to all international and domestic travellers, regardless of their airline and class of travel, as well as to everyone

22 | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 |

visiting Auckland Airport’s international and domestic terminals.

Jason Delamore, Auckland Airport’s general manager – marketing and technology, says, “Strata Club is one of the many ways we’re investing in getting to know our customers better so we can provide them with more personalised services and benefits that recognise their individual travel needs and choices.

It has been designed by our customers for our customers, and is part of an extensive programme of short- and long-term improvements that will help us offer a rewarding, personal experience to all our customers, every time they visit Auckland Airport.”

“Over the past few years we have invested heavily in new technology and tools to digitise our airport operations and give our customers a more personal experience. The Strata Club launch builds on those earlier technology investments and becomes the base for us to continue to recognise our customers’ individual travel preferences.”

The development of Strata Club is one of a number of investments Auckland Airport is undertaking to make customers’ journeys more rewarding. The company is also investing more than $1 million every working day on core airport infrastructure and expects this level of investment will likely continue into the near future. 

TAKE OFF FROM ATLANTIS THE PALM HELIPAD ON THE PALM JUMEIRAH

HOTELS

EXCURSIONS

LOGISTICS

MICE

VIP | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 | 23 Tel: +971 4 701 9111 Fax : +971 4 701 9100 P.O. Box 25718, Dubai, U.A.E Email: info@alphatoursdubai.com web: www.alphatoursdubai.com

Special Report

Rate of mishandled baggage reduces by 70 per cent

B

aggage management by the world’s airlines improved again in 2016 as the industry focuses on technology investments and prepares for a step-change in handling by June 2018.

According to the SITA Baggage Report 2017, the rate of mishandled bags was 5.73 bags per thousand passengers in 2016, down 12.25% from the previous year and the lowest ever recorded.

This is good news for the rising number of passengers, which last year hit an all-time high of 3.77 billion. Since 2007, the rate of mishandled baggage has fallen 70% due to investment in technologies and process improvements by the world’s

airlines and airports. Over the coming 18 months, this is expected to improve even further. IATA members, the majority of the world’s airlines, have adopted a resolution requiring every piece of checked baggage to be tracked along its journey by June 2018.

Ilya Gutlin, SITA President, Air Travel Solutions, said: “It is frustrating for passengers and airlines when bags go missing but the days of not knowing where your bag is will soon to be

a thing of the past. We are on the brink of a new era in airline baggage management because the world’s airlines are committing to track baggage throughout its journey. This requires data capture, management and sharing across airlines, airports and ground handlers giving a better view of where each piece of luggage is at every stage. At SITA we are providing several tracking innovations that will allow the air transport community to scale up their tracking capabilities without massive capital investments.”

The IATA Resolution 753 is coming into force in June 2018 and from then every bag must be tracked and recorded at four mandatory points - at check-in; aircraft loading; at transfer between carriers; and on arrival as the bag is delivered back to the passenger. When this is in place airlines will be able to share the information with their passengers and code share partners allowing them to track their bag, just like a parcel.

Having this information means passengers will stay informed and all parties involved in their journey can take action if flights are disrupted and their bags are delayed.

RFID – THE TECH SOLUTION FOR THE WHOLE BAG JOURNEY? Radio 24 | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 |

Frequency

Identification

Special Report

(RFID) is not new – it is a proven technology that has been around for many years and is used everywhere from factory assembly lines to store labels. However, there is fresh interest in deploying RFID chips embedded in bag-tags as they can be used to accurately track passengers’ bags in real-time across all the key points in the journey. RFID readers use radio waves to activate and capture the data stored on the RFID chip, so the license plate on the baggage tag can be read even when it is hidden under the bag, meaning bags do not need to be individually manipulated to be read.

RFID readers can automate the process of capturing each tag in a pile of bags or in a container in a couple of seconds.

This means that less bags are misread or not read at all and this results in fewer mishandled bags. By increasing the reading accuracy, RFID technology offers unparal-

leled improvements to track bags throughout therir journey, in particular, on arrival and transfer. On the latter, RFID brings new ways to address mishandling during transfer from one flight to another, one of the key areas identified by SITA and IATA where technology could help improve baggage handling rates. This is because paper tags degrade during the journey through wear and tear, making them more difficult to read, whereas RFID chips do not.

A critical pinch-point in the bag handling process is when passengers and their luggage need to move from one aircraft to another, or from one carrier to another. Bags have a higher risk of being mishandled at this time, particularly if connections are tight. In 2016, close to half (47%) of delayed bags were in the process of being transferred. Introducing mandatory tracking at this

point of the process will provide real-time data that can be used to avoid delays.

Mishandled baggage negatively affects both the passenger experience and the airline’s finances and SITA’s report shows that the financial costs remain high despite the 12.25% drop in the mishandled rate. SITA reports that the global bill for recovering and reuniting passengers with their bags was in the order of US$2.1 billion in 2016.

Gutlin added: “We are using technology to transform baggage management which will improve both the passenger experience and help to reduce the cost to the airlines. To be successful we need to cooperate and collaborate across the industry and challenge ourselves to find new ways of working and sharing data to upgrade the experience for air travelers and to improve operations.”  | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 | 25

New Technology

Biometric technology to replace passports soon

B

iometrics technology continues to transform travel across borders. The rapid innovations and progress in the technology is set to eliminate the need for passport scanners, manned immigration and paper landing departfnments.

Australia is planning to roll out by 2020, a new contactless passenger identification system that would 26 | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 |

eliminate the need for passport scanners, paper landing cards and manned immigration desks, the

Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection has announced.

New Technology

Australia plans to roll out contactless passenger identification system

senger with the image stored in the microchip of their e-passport.

The government will pilot a version of the system in July at Canberra Airport, which offers limited flights to Singapore and Wellington. It would be introduced at Sydney and Melbourne airports in November, with the rollout hoping to completed by March 2019.

“The department is asking tenderers to provide innovative solutions to allow arriving travellers to self-process,” an immigration spokeswoman told Fairfax Media.

“The department has not therefore defined the specific solution.”

The new system will use facial recognition technology and fingerprint scanners to identify passengers as they pass through Australian airports. People arriving in the country would no longer be required to show their passports and desks fronted by immigration officers would be replaced by automated electronic stations, reported The Telegraph.

The new process would go beyond the current SmartGate electronic border processing system currently in place at Australian airports, which matches the face of a pas-

According to John Coyne, head of border security at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, passengers could possibly be filtered through a corridor, rather than through gates, where their biometrics would be captured without them having to stop.

Speaking to Fairfax media, Dr Coyne said the new system would be a “world first” and would enable passengers to “literally just walk out like at a domestic airport”.

Biometric technology is advancing rapidly thanks to the large amount of passenger data available, which includes ticket information, travel

history and criminal records. Dr Coyne said the future of airport security would be about , and it was all about being able to determine which types of passengers posed a risk and allowing others to go through the process more efficiently.

The latest development is the most ambitious part of the government’s AUD 93.7 million (£57 million) Seamless Traveller fiveyear initiative, introduced in 2015, which, according to Australia’s immigration minister Peter Dutton, will allow for a “fast, seamless self-processing experience and enable border control officers to concentrate on passengers-ofinterest”.

While airports in Britain have yet to use such advanced facial recognition systems, the introduction of full-body security scanners, which are used at around 19 airports in the country including London Gatwick, Heathrow, City and Manchester have sparked controversy, with the Equality and Human Rights Commission saying they breach passengers’ rights to privacy.

Earlier this month, the US Customs and Border Protection announced facial recognition software would be used at all international airports in the US, as part of the country’s plan to crack down on identity fraud.

New York’s JFK Airport began using facial recognition scanners this month, as part of a $10 billion (£8 billion) plan to revamp the airport, while the new software will be used at the Washington Dulles International Airport from February, following a two-month trial in 2015.  | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 | 27

New Technology

System connects land, air and sea border systems for biometric verification

New Biometric Exit solution for improved border security and facilitation

V

ision-Box has unveiled a new integrated Biometric Exit solution which allows border authorities to efficiently collect the necessary information to assist in identifying persons of interest based on accurate identity verification and rules-based monitoring of travel patterns.

The integrated Biometric Entry-Exit system, which builds upon the company’s renowned innovative approach to integrated Border Management and Traveler Facilitation, features a powerful orchestration platform connecting different land, air and sea border immigration systems with travelercentric self-service touchpoints for biometric verification at every national Entry-Exit point.

With the tremendous growth of the number of travelers and national entry and exit points, many countries are vulnerable to illegals, identity fraud, smuggling, or trafficking. All the while legitimate travelers line up

28 | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 |

in long queues to get to their families, reach their holiday destination or to get to their business meetings. At a time when security threats haunt international borders around the world, one of today’s greatest challenges is to find a pragmatic balance between security and facilitation.

An effective immigration system requires an end-to-end process that collects exit data and correlates it with entry data. The goal is to ensure that a traveler cannot depart using someone else’s identity or have someone depart on his or her behalf. Without biometrically verified exit data, there is no meaningful way to accurately

determine whether foreign nationals have overstayed his or her visa. The challenge is to collect and match relevant data in a reliable and efficient manner.

“The successful future of integrated border control relies on stakeholders collaboration, engaged in the joint management of a privacy responsible ecosystem with the passenger at the epicenter, guaranteeing a sustainable, safe and effective entry/exit process, unleashing the power of biometrics to the next level”, stated Jean-François Lennon, Vice President for Global Business Development and Sales of Vision-Box. 

New Technology

Mobile robots to carry baggage at Fukuoka Airport

J

apan Airlines is conducting mobile robot demonstrative trials at Fukuoka Airport, with an aim to support carrying baggage transportation at the airport.

Using Omron’s LD Mobile Robot, Japan Airlines will be able to transport baggage of arrival customers to the exit of the airport terminal.

Being a self-navigating autonomous intelligent vehicle (AIV), the Omron LD Mobile Robot is designed to move material in challenging environments, including confined passageways, as well as dynamic and crowded locations.

Unlike traditional autonomously guided vehicles (AGVs), the Omron Mobile Robot does not require any facility modifications, such as floor magnets or navigational beacons, saving users up to 15% in installation costs.

The trials conducted by Japan Airlines aim to deliver special services to the increasing number of passengers who use baby carriages or wheelchairs at the airport. The technology is expected to enhance safety for travellers, as well as relieve them from the burden of transporting baggage at the airport.

As part of the demonstrative trial, the Omron LD Mobile Robot will

enable the customer to transport checked baggage to the nearest ground transportation waiting area.

The trial will also test the mobile robot’s ability to guide passengers to the waiting area. Japan Airlines focuses on improving airport accessibility, which includes supporting passengers with disabilities and older customers in order to provide them with an enhanced travel experience. 

The user-friendly software and controls enable the robot to intelligently move around people and obstacles, with a runtime of up to 19 hours a day. | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 | 29

New Technology

Smartworld bags Dubai Quality Award for excellence in services

S

martworld, a leading systems integrator and next generation ICT services provider, has been honoured with Dubai Quality Award, an award from the Dubai’s Department of Economic Development (DED), underlining the company’s strong commitment to excel and ceaselessly work toward delivering the best quality services to its clients across the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The award, which started in 1994, is considered the quality roadmap for all oganisations in Dubai.

Dr. Saeed Al Dhaheri, Chairman of Smartworld, said: “We are honoured to have received the prestigious Dubai Quality Award. The UAE’s visionary leadership inspires us to always be the best and ensure happiness of our customers and this enhances our commitment to excellence alongwith a strong focus on continuous improvement 30 | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 |

and implementing innovative ways to ensuring best quality services to our customers. This recognition further motivates us to continue on our path to excellence.”

He added: “The UAE has been leading the digitization wave in the Middle East region, which has enhanced the role of IT in the success of economy. This role further enhances as we witness a multiple fold rise in data flow connecting the region to the world. Through

our commitment to excellence, Smartworld aims to set exemplary standards of service in IT.” In the past decade, the cross-border data flow connecting the Middle East to the rest of the world has increased more than 150-fold, according to McKinsey & Co research.

The digital market across the Middle East, led by the UAE, is estimated to contribute up to 3.8 percent annually in GDP—amounting to approximately $95 billion. 

| Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 | 31

Health

Staying healthy during Ramadan

F

asting during the Holy Month of Ramadan can improve your health if done properly. Following tips will help you to adapt easily to the change in eating routine and stay healthy as you fast.

Planning is the key to stay organised. Plan your Ramadan recipes ahead to ensure you eat a variety of nutritious meals. Stock up on your grocery so you don’t make last-minute impulsive purchase decisions.

Stay hydrated with by drinking plenty of water and hydrating foods between Iftar and Suhoor. Drink atleast 10 glasses of water as high temperatures can also make you sweat more. Eating hydrating foods such as watermelon, cucumber can help you stay hydrated. Caffenated drinks like coffee, cola are best avoided as these may lead to dehyrdtation

32 | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 |

A healthy Iftar goes hand in hand with the traditions: Start with 2 dates, then a glass of water or laban and you can start the meal with a warm bowl of soup, a salad and the main course. Eat slow and in moderation.

A wholesome meal at Suhoor will provide you with enough energy to sustain till Iftar. Eat complex carbohydrates, such as fruit and vegetables, beans, chickpeas and lentils for long-lasting source of energy throughout the day.

Include low fat dairy products, such as low fat labneh or laban, with your meal and try to incorporate healthy unsaturated fats like avocado, un-

salted nuts, salmon, olives and olive oil.

Stay active: Some people tend to get sedentary during the month of Ramadan. To burn extra calories, make sure to be active by at least going for a walk everyday, 2 hours after having Iftar will allow you time to digest your meal.

Overeating during Ramadan can lead to weight gain. Eating a healthy Iftar, eating starters and sweets in moderation, choosing more fruits and vegetables, avoiding sweetened beverages, and being active everyday will help you maintain your weight.

Health

Eating your soup and salad slowly at Iftar will help you feel full and prevent you from overeating later from the main dish and sweets.

A change in routine, like fasting

during Ramadan, could lead to constipation. To avoid this, enrich your diet with fibre by eating vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes.

Drink plenty of water and try to be active whenever possible.

Meal suggestions: • • • • • •

Start your day with: Oatmeal with a low fat laban smoothie made with fresh fruit Fruits, dates and nuts Lentil soup with chopped carrot, celery and onion Scrambled egg/egg omelette + multigrain bread Milkshake

Iftar • • • • •

Salad, soup Chicken, baked with sautéed vegetables and served with chickpeas Baked fish with roasted vegetables and brown rice Baked falafel served with fattoush salad, hummus and pita bread Green veggies or mix vegetables, curd  | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 | 33

Tourism

Japan National Tourism Organization launches “Journey to Japan” packages

Tourist attractions in Japan A

s part of its strategy to proactively reach out and welcome travellers from the Middle East region, Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) in collaboration with Cathy Pacific has launched “Journey to Japan” packages during recently held Arabian Travel Market 2017.

These packages come just in time as part of the new visa waiver programme which allows UAE Nationals to have visa free entry to Japan.

Says Akiko Yoshida, Executive Vice President of JNTO “Japan offers plethora of unique cultural experiences in a cosmopolitan setting.

Unique not only to region but also by seasons, there is always something new to be discovered in Japan.”

In an effort to make Muslim and Middle Eastern guests as welcome and comfortable as possible, many hotel, hospitality and restaurant partners throughout Japan have 34 | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 |

made extensive efforts to learn the cultural and religious needs of Muslim guests, including making available various services and offerings that are Halal or Muslimfriendly.

For those visiting Japan for the first time you will warmly be welcomed for a holiday experience like no other, and for those that have visited Japan before, it is encouraged to visit Japan again in a different sea-

Tourism

son to re-enliven the senses with different seasonal sights, tastes and encounters.

Following are a few must visit places in Japan.

Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle is one of Japan’s best preserved samurai castles and is a must see for any castle lover. The castle is fondly known as “Shirasagi-jo”, which means White Heron Castle in Japanese due to its brilliant white exterior and its resemblance to a heron taking flight. It was one of Japan’s first UNESCO World Heritage Sites when registered in 1993, and is one of the few original castles remaining in Japan from the samurai age.

Mount Fuji

The majestic Mount Fuji (Fujisan) is also the country’s highest mountain peak, towering 3,776 meters over an otherwise largely flat landscape to the south and east, tall enough to be seen from Tokyo more than 100 kilometers away.

Mount Fuji has for centuries been celebrated in art and literature, and is now considered so important an icon that UNESCO recognized its world cultural significance in 2013.

Part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu Na-

tional Park, Mount Fuji is climbed by more than a million people each summer as an act of pilgrimage that culminates in watching the sunrise from its summit.

The Phoenix Hall at Byodoin Temple

The Phoenix Hall at Byodo-in Temple is regarded as Japan’s most beautiful building. If you want a preview, take a look at the back of a ¥10 coin, where you can see an image of this elegant building. The building is one of the few original wooden structures to survive from the Heian Period (710 – 1185), and is one of Kyoto’s many UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Visited by more than a million people each year, many from overseas, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (Hiroshima Heiwa Kinen Kōen) lies at the epicenter of the atomic blast in what was once a bustling part of the city and includes a number of important monuments, memorials, and museums relating to the events of that fateful day. In addition to the grounds and gardens with their colorful cherry blossoms, the park’s highlights include the Peace Memorial Museum with its numerous

exhibits dealing with the issue of world peace, and the Memorial Cenotaph and the Flame of Peace, as well as the Atom Bomb Dome, the ruins of an administrative building that lay at the center of the explosion.

Historic Nara

For centuries the hub of Japanese culture, the lovely unspoiled city of Nara is home to a large number of historic buildings, along with important national treasures and works of art.

In addition to its many historic streets, the city boasts numerous important old temples, including the magnificent seventh-century Kofuku-ji Temple, and perhaps the best known of the Seven Great Temples of Nara, the splendid eighth-century Todai-ji (Great East Temple), famous for its huge bronze statue of the Great Buddha (Daibutsu), cast here in AD 749. Also of interest in Todai-ji are its Great South Gate (Nandaimon), a twostory structure borne on 18 columns with two Nio statues standing eight meters tall and guarding the temple entrance, and the Hall of the Great Buddha, the world’s largest timber building.  | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 | 35

opinion column

Laptop ban not sustainable in long-run

W

Alexandre de Juniac Director General and CEO, International Air Transport Association (IATA)

e have seen that with the laptop ban—implemented with next to no notice, no dialogue and no coordination. The result tests public confidence in how governments and industry work together to keep flying secure. It raises too many questions. Why on some flights and not others?

How did the UK and US end up with different lists? What are the implications for safety of having so many lithium batteries in the hold? And surely, with all that has and continues to be spent on screening, we must be able to find a technology-based solution?

We are now in a more open dialogue with governments on this important issue. And the responses of Canada, the EU and Australia to the same intelligence demonstrate that a ban on large electronic devices in the cabin is not the only way forward.

Indeed we believe that it is not sustainable in the long-run. So, even as rumors persist that the ban will be extended, we are calling on governments to work with the industry to find alternatives— to keep flying secure without such great inconvenience to our passengers.

(Excerpts from remarks at ARC Travel Executive Council)

36 | Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 |

Helping governments and stakeholders to understand the industry—in this case to understand what can work operationally—is an important function of IATA.

IATA promotes safe, efficient, and sustainable global connectivity by air. The importance of that must not be underestimated. Aviation is the business of freedom. Our industry liberates people to live better lives. We do that by connecting people, goods, markets and ideas across great distances.

But that can only happen with borders that are open to people and trade.

So we are deeply concerned with political developments—including some here in the US—which point to a future of more restricted borders and protectionism. These deny the benefits of globalization, which aviation makes possible by safely transporting over 50 million tonnes of cargo and nearly four billion passengers annually.

IATA has a unique global view.

With our 265 members and other stakeholders, we set global industry standards and facilitate their implementation. Aviation could not function with different systems and standards for each airport or destination.

opinion column

UAE takes lead in first of its kind international police cooperation

T

ime and again, world events remind us of how increasingly important it is to stand united in the face of challenges to global security.

‘Unity for Security’ provides a timely and valuable opportunity for senior leaders from INTERPOL member countries to come together. It is a forum to reflect on the role of a globally united leadership towards making ours a safer world.

The International Criminal Police Organization - INTERPOL thanks the United Arab Emirates for hosting this forum under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, President of the UAE. In fact, the origins of holding this event also lay in the related decision by the Emirati government for a voluntary contribution to advance INTERPOL’s work, as just indicated by the President of the INTERPOL Foundation.

UAE towards strengthening the work of law enforcement worldwide. This extraordinary contribution is the first of its kind in the history of international police cooperation.

As leaders responsible for security matters, you know well that complex threats continue to engulf the working environment of law enforcement agencies worldwide. If we are to remain effective, we have to constantly evolve in how we face such threats.

This needs ideas, innovation, enhanced capability sharing, and yes – resources.

Jurgen Stock INTERPOL Secretary General

Therefore, a voluntary contribution from a member country is an extremely positive step. 

This contribution has come at a time when the world’s largest police organization – INTERPOL – is being encouraged to play a larger role in improving global security.

In parallel, however, stand acute challenges of resource limitations for law enforcement across most of INTERPOL’s membership.

This is where one member country has stepped in to provide significant assistance in addressing these shortcomings. On behalf of our entire membership, INTERPOL is indeed grateful for the generosity of the

(Excerpts from Address at the ‘Unity for Security’ Forum)

| Manafez Dubai | May - June 2017 | 37