“A Regulator should Act as a Parent to the Industry”

Laila Bin Hareb Almheiri has spent over 10 years with UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). As a forward-looking and an enterprising woman, she founded Alive Group which offers solutions across multiple disciplines including aviation and cyber security.

BizAvIndia's Editor-in-Chief Jayant Baranwal caught up with her for an interview after a BizAv Talks event that was anchored and presided by Laila during the MEBAA 2022 in Dubai.

AviAtion RegulAtions

BizAvIndia (BAI): As you have spent over ten years in UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), what do you think about the regulatory bodies’ role in aviation sectors? What all should be the most crucial roles on the part of regulatory bodies through your eyes supporting aviation industry and ensuring the desired level of growth creating win-win situation?

Laila Bin Hareb Almheiri (Laila): People have misinterpreted the role of a regulator. I believe that the role of a Regulator should be altered to ‘facilitator and enabler of sustainable industry growth’ rather than viewing them solely as the police of the industry. A regulator should act as a parent to the industry. They should provide wisdom and foster a flourishing environment while advising on harmful risks that may arise.

In order to do that, regulators should have a triad of people: l Individuals who have gathered a plethora of experience throughout their careers. l Young and hungry people who understand and who can relate to the current era of technological advancement, and facilitate digital and innovation dynamics to create a future-ready regulator. l Thirdly, data scientists specialised in behaviour and economics who will work with the first two groups to bring positive and wellaccepted change to the industry.

In the past, being a regulator marked the end of a career path in aviation where individuals retire, while the newcomers were only working in the administration aspects such as marketing, etc. What we currently need is a policy-making engine that aims to represent the triad group that makes up the regulators.

When I say facilitate innovation, I’m not only referring to opening a dialogue of discussion or events, but actually transforming the regulatory approval process by making it flexible to adapt to this innovation.

A prime example is the use of drones – it took more time than expected to give the green light due to a rigid regulatory process. This does not mean that processing and issuing should be streamlined carelessly, rather, the regulatory roles for new innovations should be faster while still being adept. The world is moving at such a fast pace that the innovative regulatory system should be just as swift with its adaptations.

The regulator should find the right balance between the nature of the aviation industry, the end consumer, and the passengers. They need to create an environment that understands the passenger’s journey and work with the industry to enhance and protect passengers’ rights.

BAI: Do you think it is justifiable to create more of hindrance in the name of regulation or it should be rather facilitating the industry and its growth which can contribute back to the growth of the over-all economy?

Laila: The problem right here is the word “hindrance” which is often associated with a civil aviation regulator. I believe that it’s just misconstrued. Our policy is negatively affecting the industry’s economic growth (applying policies within the industry is often associated with the cost they need to