The United Arab Emirates is a federation comprising seven emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman, Umm-Al-Quwain and Ras-Al-Khaimah), each with its own legal system.

Pursuant to UAE Federal Law No. 4/1996, the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) was established as a federal autonomous body under the Ministry of Communications (now under the authority of the Minister of Development for the Government Sector) to regulate civil aviation in the UAE in accordance with the Law of Civil Aviation as the competent authority thereunder.

The GCAA's organisational structure is headed by a director general who is accountable to a board of directors comprising the Minister, as chairman of the board, four members (each being a chairman of Departments of Civil Aviation of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah) and a representative from the Ministry of the Interior and the UAE Air Force.

The principal legislations regulating civil aviation are as follows:

• Federal Law No. 20/1991 issuing the Law of Civil Aviation;

• Civil Aviation Regulations (the Regulations); and