The General Civil Aviation Authority has issued its first-ever Supplemental Type Certificate to Emirates Engineering, a landmark moment that positions the UAE among a select group of nations with advanced aircraft modification certification capabilities.
The STC, a specialised airworthiness authorisation that permits certified modifications to aircraft, systems, and components in line with international safety standards, was granted following GCAA's approval of Emirates as a Design Organisation in late 2025 — the first time such a privilege had been extended to a UAE-based entity.
The milestone places GCAA in rare company globally, as only a handful of aviation authorities worldwide hold the capacity to issue Supplemental Type Certificates independently.
Eng. Aqeel Al Zarooni, Assistant Director-General for Aviation Safety Affairs at the GCAA, said the certification reflects the maturity of the UAE's regulatory framework and the technical depth of its local design organisations, adding that the move reinforces the country's standing as a regional leader in aviation safety and certification.
Ahmed Safa, Head of Engineering and MRO at Emirates, described securing the STC as an important milestone that demonstrates the airline's design capabilities and its readiness to execute aircraft modifications at the highest level.
For the UAE, the development signals a broader ambition — building a robust domestic aviation engineering ecosystem that reduces dependence on foreign certification bodies while meeting global compliance standards.
The GCAA has indicated it will continue expanding its oversight capabilities and deepening collaboration with industry partners to advance aviation safety, engineering excellence, and regulatory innovation across the region.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
