Saturday 31 / January / 2026
Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman is hosting the Air Traffic Management Coordination Meeting and Crisis Management Workshop for the Middle East region, organised by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), with participation from the ICAO Regional Office for the Middle East and Asia Pacific.
The Coordination Meeting, scheduled for February 1–3, 2026, will address global developments in air traffic management and the challenges affecting air traffic flows within the Middle East and at interregional contact points. Discussions will focus on improving airspace management, enhancing regional coordination, and updating joint agreements between countries regarding air traffic services.
The Crisis Management Workshop, to be held on February 4–5, 2026, will review ICAO emergency planning requirements, the operation of the Emergency Coordination Team, and the exchange of experiences between ICAO regions. The workshop emphasizes strengthening cross-border coordination and developing regional emergency arrangements.
The events highlight the Sultanate of Oman’s position as a regional hub for civil aviation, supporting ICAO’s efforts, enhancing regional and international cooperation, and promoting higher levels of safety and operational efficiency in regional airspace.
The meeting and workshop will bring together representatives from 19 countries, 3 international organizations, and 3 airlines, with a total of 90 participants, including experts, specialists, and airspace users.
Eng. Saleh bin Abdullah Al Harthi, Director General of Air Navigation at the Civil Aviation Authority, said the Sultanate’s hosting of the events reflects its growing status as a regional and international center for technical cooperation in civil aviation. He noted that the meetings aim to strengthen coordination between countries, develop joint cooperation mechanisms, and share best practices and operational plans to ensure continuity of air navigation services and improve readiness for emergencies.
He added that these events provide an important platform for exchanging technical expertise and reviewing international experiences in emergency planning and air traffic management, contributing to safer, more efficient, and smoother air traffic operations, and consolidating Oman’s role as an active partner in regional and international civil aviation development.
