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The General Civil Aviation Authority led the UAE delegation to the 4th China Air Transport Association Conference that opened in Beijing on September 17 and runs through September 19. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi delivered a keynote address during the main agenda of the event themed around the integration of artificial intelligence and civil aviation. According to the GCAA the director-general described civil aviation as a key pillar of the longstanding UAE-China partnership that rests on mutual respect and shared ambitions for closer collaboration.
Al Suwaidi noted that air services agreements and related cooperation already support more than 90 weekly flights linking cities in both countries the GCAA reported. He pointed to the potential for artificial intelligence to enhance safety efficiency and sustainability across air transport operations. The participation follows a memorandum of understanding the two sides signed in Beijing in July 2024 that expanded air connectivity between their airports according to Emirates News Agency records.
A bilateral meeting between Al Suwaidi and Pan Yixin Secretary-General of the China Air Transport Association took place on the conference sidelines the GCAA stated. The two officials reviewed existing cooperation and identified fresh opportunities in areas such as digital aviation technologies and smart infrastructure. Both parties agreed to pursue further joint initiatives that would benefit their respective civil aviation sectors.
The conference organised by the China Air Transport Association features dialogue sessions specialised forums and a professional exhibition covering roughly 22 000 square metres according to the host organisation. Discussions span digital and smart civil aviation aviation services air logistics and professional education in the field. Awards for 2025 aviation technology achievements were presented during the opening ceremony which also included the signing of multiple cooperation agreements among Chinese carriers and airports.
Etihad Airways expanded its mainland China network in April 2026 by adding direct services to five new cities and increasing weekly flights to 35 across six destinations the airline announced at the time. All new routes operate with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and form part of a codeshare partnership with China Eastern Airlines. These developments have contributed to stronger trade tourism and people-to-people exchanges between the UAE and China the GCAA has previously indicated.
Al Suwaidi stressed the value of regular exchanges such as the air connectivity forum held ahead of the 2024 memorandum to sustain momentum in bilateral relations according to the authority. The GCAA continues to prioritise enhanced international presence for UAE carriers while promoting collaboration in aviation security safety and investment. The Beijing conference provided a platform for industry stakeholders to explore how artificial intelligence can support a more innovative and resilient global aviation ecosystem.
