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. SP Guide Publications 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

SP Guide Publications (SP’s): 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: y Individuals who have gathered a plethora of experience throughout their careers. y 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. y Thirdly, data scientists specialised in behaviour and economics who will work with the first two groups to bring positive and well-accepted change to the industry. In the past, being a regulator marked the end

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Chapter 3

Speaking exclusively to SP Guide Publications in his First and Exclusive interview, Ajay Shah, BAOA’s President shares his insights about the industry and how BAOA can contribute to the continued growth of the GA/BA industry in India

SP Guide Publications (SP’s): What would be your top three goals as the BAOA President?

Ajay Shah (Shah): BAOA is more than a decade old organisation now and since inception its functioning and ethos is based on democratic and transparent values. The goals of BAOA are driven by the requirements of the GA/BA industry. Our three top priorities are: y Keeping the interests of operators, members & GA/BA industry in the forefront of everything we do as an association; y Collaborate with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Regulators to find optimum solutions to the issues faced by the industry; y Create a better understanding amongst all the members for issues affecting the industry as a whole.

SP’s: What kind of support does the industry require from the Government at this stage?

Shah: We are all aware that the Government is taking numerous proactive steps to address the needs of the aviation industry. A number of ‘Advisory Groups’ have been formed by the Ministry to this effect. It is our opinion that there is a need for these advisory groups to function in a coordinated manner through collaborative mechanism involving the regulators via ‘Joint Working Groups’. This will help accelerate decision making and issue of executive directions by the Ministry.

SP’s: How can we balance the unreasonable charges that sections of the industry have to bear with, whether it’s the import duties, the ground handling charges, the parking charges, etc?

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CHAPTER 4