Tourism Breaking News
- Initiative aims to support air traffic controllers and airlines to significantly reduce fuel burn, and to deliver more on-time arrivals.
- This research partnership aims to advance operations via an AI-powered digital solution which can mitigate up to 40% of holding patterns at Dubai’s arrival airport.
- New system will predict UAE airspace congestion and generate proactive recommendations in order to modify flight plans whenever appropriate and reduce holding.
Dubai Air Navigation Services, Emirates Airline, and Thales have signed a Collaborative Research Agreement to pioneer cutting-edge research aimed at reducing holding patterns for all flights arriving at Dubai International, supporting more efficient UAE airspace management. This collaboration to enhance the safety and efficiency of UAE airspace also reinforces the nation’s Net Zero by 2050 target.
Holding patterns provide a safe, orderly system to sequence arriving aircraft during peak traffic and runway congestion. Aircraft fly carefully choreographed racetrack-shaped circuits at designated altitudes to ensure smooth arrivals. While holding patterns are essential for safety and operational flow, minimising their occurrence significantly reduces fuel consumption and associated carbon emissions.
Under the agreement, the three partners will jointly research innovative ways to optimise aviation traffic management. Central to the initiative will be the integration of advanced AI technologies, which will help identify potential congestion areas and generate actionable recommendations for stakeholders. By leveraging these AI-driven insights, the collaboration aims to support air traffic controllers and airlines in minimising delays, enhancing predictability, and improving operational efficiency across the entire airspace network.
Abdelhafid Mordi, Vice President of Thales in UAE and Iraq, and CEO of Thales Emarat Technologies said, “This innovative partnership with Dubai Air Navigation Services and Emirates Airline will allow us to strengthen the UAE’s airspace management technologies. Thales will bring its advanced capabilities in digital technologies, Artificial Intelligence, and air traffic management to support the UAE’s vision for a more secure, connected, and sustainable aviation sector.”
Adel Al Redha, Deputy President and Chief Operating Officer, Emirates Airline added, “This research agreement with Thales and DANS represents a practical application of AI to solve a real operational challenge. By predicting congestion and proactively adjusting cruise speeds, we not only reduce fuel burn associated with holding patterns but also optimise our operational efficiencies. If successful, this solution can benefit other airlines, turning a shared challenge into an opportunity for improvement.”
Thales is present at the Dubai Airshow on stand #740. To learn more about Thales in the United Arab Emirates, please visit: Thales in the UAE | Thales Group.
