The UAE’s aviation sector has reached a major milestone after the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced that the UAE National Aircraft Registry has officially exceeded 1,000 registered aircraft for the first time.
According to the GCAA, aircraft number 1001 has now been added to the national registry, underscoring the continued expansion of the country’s civil aviation industry and reinforcing the UAE’s position as one of the world’s leading aviation hubs.
The authority revealed that the fleets of the UAE’s national airlines account for 554 aircraft, representing more than 55% of all aircraft registered in the UAE. The figures highlight the significant contribution of the country’s carriers in connecting the UAE to global destinations while supporting the continued growth of international air transport.
Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the GCAA, described the achievement as a reflection of the country’s strong aviation ecosystem and the confidence that airlines, aircraft owners and operators place in the UAE’s regulatory framework.
He said surpassing the 1,000-aircraft mark demonstrates the success of the UAE’s long-term vision of creating a business-friendly environment that promotes sustainable growth, innovation and global competitiveness in civil aviation.
Al Suwaidi added that the National Aircraft Registry has evolved alongside the rapid development of the UAE’s aviation sector. He noted that the GCAA continues to strengthen the country’s global aviation standing through investments in modern legislation, regulatory frameworks and smart digital services designed to meet the industry’s future needs.
Eng. Aqeel Al Zarooni, Assistant Director-General for Aviation Safety Affairs at the GCAA, said the milestone reflects the maturity, efficiency and international credibility of the UAE’s aircraft registration system.
He said the registry operates in line with international standards, providing transparent, reliable and streamlined registration services that meet the changing requirements of aircraft owners and operators worldwide.
Al Zarooni added that the authority is continuing its digital transformation efforts by enhancing registration services, strengthening regulations and adopting risk-based oversight to ensure the registry supports the sector’s sustained growth while maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety, operational excellence and regulatory compliance.
The latest milestone comes as the GCAA continues to modernise the aviation regulatory environment through updated legislation, simplified procedures and expanded digital services. These initiatives are supported by wider government programmes, including the Government for Business Programme and the Zero Bureaucracy Programme, aimed at improving efficiency and supporting the continued growth of the UAE’s aviation industry.
