GCAA grants first helipad license to Burj al-Arab Hotel

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has granted the first helipad license in the UAE to the iconic Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, operated by Jumeirah Group, the global luxury hotel company and a member of Dubai Holding.
Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Board of Directors of GCAA, who presented Gerald Lawless, President and Group CEO, Jumeirah Group, with the license for the hotel's rooftop helipad in a ceremony at Burj Al Arab, said that the move is part of a long-term plan to license all existing and future helipad in the UAE.
He noted that GCAA, in the past months, has developed the relevant legislations and guidelines for helipads including those on ground level and rooftops and offshore helidecks.
On his part, Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of GCAA, who was present at the ceremony, said that the legislations were developed following studies and consultations with strategic partners in order to ensure safety in the aviation sector in light of the fast growth of helicopter operations.
GCCA said that the new legislations are in line with the standards practices embraced by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
The sail-shaped Burj Al Arab Jumeirah which stands on a man-made island and has a helipad perching 210 metres above the sea level is touted by the Jumeirah Group as the world's most luxurious hotel.