Ras Al Khaimah is the most picturesque of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates, blessed with a stunning landscape, surrounded by majestic mountains, sandy deserts, verdant fertile plains, rejuvenating oases, sun-dapped beaches and a pure shimmering coastline. From times immemorial, Ras Al Khaimah has occupied a unique location on the Arabian Gulf, flourishing as a trading centre from the days of antiquity. 

But Ras Al Khaimah has come a long way from the times when its mountains and coastlines were destinations only for the intrepid travelers. With the launch of the Ras Al Khaimah Government’s developmental vision, the Emirate took a rapid leap into modern times. 

The founding of the RAK International Airport in 1976 paved the way for placing the Emirate on the international map. And the RAK Department of Civil Aviation, established in to operate and maintain the Airport, has been playing a crucial though low-profile role in the economic development of the Emirate. 

Right from the beginning, RAK has adopted an ‘Open Skies’ policy, helping the Emirate to establish itself as a leading financial and tourism hub in the region, and enabling air carriers to operate on an unrestricted basis serving Ras Al Khaimah and other destinations directly or on a transit point basis. 

Ever since its inception, we have striven constantly to develop the RAK Airport, upgrading its aeronautical and non-aeronautical equipment and facilities from time to time, improving our skills, bettering our services and keeping up with the new emerging ideas and concepts in aviation. Quality has been a full-time commitment with us. And the achievement of the RAK Airport bagging the ISO 9001:2000 certification is an eloquent testimony to our commitment. In fact, RAK Airport is only the second airport in the entire GCC to earn the prestigious accreditation. Another of our top priority focus has been on safety. We have continuously worked to achieve aviation safety standards that that are at par with the best in the world. 

Airports around the world are expanding. But in the case of RAK this phenomenon assumes a special significance. The RAK Government has launched an over-all development plan for the Emirate, focusing on the promotion of tourism and industry. The plan is triggering unprecedented growth in the Emirate, with creation of scores of new elegant hotels, a Free Trade Zone and other high-value projects.

To meet the expected influx of increased tourists and others, we have in place our own 20-year Master Plan for the development of the RAK Airport. Several projects have already been completed, and many others commenced or are underway. 

But all such growth, in its wake, also brings new challenges, and we, at the Department of Civil Aviation, are gearing up to meet them. 

And as our past record amply shows, we are confident that we will meet all the emerging challenges in the aviation sector competently and efficiently. 

Engr. Salem Bin Sultan Al Qasimi 
Chairman 
Department of Civil Aviation