The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has voiced its support for concerns brought by the United Arab Emirates on the risks facing civil aviation safety due to Qatari military operations.

 

The support came during an ICAO Council session held in Montreal on Friday in the presence of the UAE Ambassador to Canada Fahad Al Raqbani and the Director General of UAE General Civil Aviation Authority Saif Al Suwaidi.

 

“In view of the serious incidents of civil aviation safety violation by Qatar involving its military aircraft coming in close proximity to UAE-registered civilian aircraft since early 2018, the International Civil Aviation Organization Council (ICAO) has upheld the concerns of the UAE about the hazardous safety situation created by uncoordinated Qatari Military Operations,” a statement on UAE state news agency read.

 

The UAE said on last month that Qatari fighter planes had intercepted a civilian aircraft carrying 86 passengers aboard a flight bound for Bahrain.

 

At the time, WAM said that the Emirati civilian craft had to take evasive maneuvers to avoid a collision. The Qatari jet is reported to have flown within 200 meters of the civilian aircraft.

 

The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority said the maneuver worked just seconds before the collision of the aircrafts, endangering the lives of those on board.