UAE stresses AI governance at 4th China Air Transport Association Conference
Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director‑General of the General Civil Aviation Authority, urged clear regulatory frameworks for artificial intelligence as the UAE delegation attended the Beijing conference on aviation and AI.
GCAA chief urges international alignment on aviation AI
Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director‑General of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), said artificial intelligence can fundamentally reshape the civil aviation ecosystem but must be governed by clear, accountable regulation. His remarks were delivered as part of the UAE delegation at the 4th China Air Transport Association Conference in Beijing, held from 17 to 19 September 2026 under the theme “Integration and Development of Artificial Intelligence and Civil Aviation.”
Mr Al Suwaidi described AI not merely as another technology introduced into aviation, but as a force capable of transforming regulation, airspace management, aircraft maintenance, passenger services and decision‑support systems. He underlined that adoption should be judged by its capacity to enhance safety, improve efficiency and advance sustainability across the sector.
The director‑general highlighted the need for robust governance and regulatory frameworks to ensure AI is used safely, responsibly and transparently. He called for strengthened international cooperation to align approaches to AI oversight and encourage shared standards for testing, certification and operational integration.
Noting the depth of UAE–China ties, Mr Al Suwaidi pointed to air services agreements and ongoing cooperation that underpin more than 90 weekly flights between cities in the two countries. He said both nations are investing in digital transformation, advanced air mobility and smart infrastructure, creating scope for closer collaboration among regulators, airlines, airports, technology firms, research institutions and innovators.
On the sidelines of the conference, Mr Al Suwaidi held a bilateral meeting with Pan Yixin, Secretary‑General of the China Air Transport Association, to explore ways of strengthening cooperation and identifying collaboration opportunities in areas of mutual interest.
The three‑day forum featured dialogue sessions, specialised forums and a professional exhibition that brought together more than 100 exhibitors showcasing technologies and solutions spanning the civil aviation value chain. Topics addressed included digital and smart civil aviation, aviation services, air logistics and professional aviation education.
The UAE delegation’s participation underlined the federal regulator’s priority of shaping how AI is governed within aviation, while fostering international partnerships to accelerate safe, efficient and sustainable technological adoption.
Source: WAM