Shaping the Future of Middle East Aviation Safety: Insights from MENA-ARCM/9

On 29 June 2026, aviation leaders convened virtually for the Ninth Meeting of the MENA Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation Regional Cooperation Mechanism (MENA-ARCM/9). Coordinated by the ICAO Middle East (MID) Office, this highly focused two-hour session replaced the initially planned in-person assembly in Muscat. 

The primary operational objective? Accelerating Annex 13 compliance, standardising regional data oversight, and proactively preparing investigative bodies for the imminent integration of urban air mobility.

Here are the milestones that will shape our regional safety framework:

  • Launch of the Safety Recommendations Platform (SRP): Moving away from disconnected safety data, this cloud-based digital repository harmonises cross-border safety interventions. Developed over an intensive 11-meeting sprint led by The Oman Transport Safety Bureau alongside regional counterparts, it is hosted securely in Saudi Arabia. Adoption was accelerated when KSA authorities waived restrictive Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) requirements, achieving a diplomatic win for rapid, trust-based collaboration.
  • Pioneering eVTOL Investigation Readiness: As the UAE prepares for commercial Urban Air Mobility (UAM) flights with Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation, traditional accident investigation protocols are no longer sufficient. The UAE GCAA’s Air Accident Investigation Sector (AAIS) unveiled its new Technology Investigation Unit (TIU) to address unique forensic challenges in electric aircraft, such as lithium-ion thermal runaway and post-crash active high-voltage circuits.

The rapid operationalisation of these advanced digital and tactical frameworks demonstrates how the MENA region is driving global aviation safety forward.

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