*MATAR's fourth full-scale emergency exercise at the DIA features a scenario involving a grounded aircraft

MATAR, the Qatar Company for Airports Operation and Management, has successfully completed its fourth full-scale emergency exercise at Doha International Airport (DIA).
The exercise was conducted at the DIA on December 3 with government agencies, partners and stakeholders taking part, including the Qatar Airways Group, Amiri Flight, Qatar Executive, the Qatar Aircraft Catering Company, Qatar Aviation Services, Airport Customs, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Qatar Civil Defence, the Hamad Medical Corporation Ambulance Service, the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA), the Qatar Red Crescent Society, and Qatar state agencies, according to a press statement.



The emergency exercise was arranged and orchestrated by MATAR at the DIA, in compliance with the requirements established by the QCAA and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
MATAR is responsible for ensuring that the airport management systems and emergency preparedness meet the exact requirements of the QCAA Aerodrome Licensing Standards.
To ensure participant safety, precautionary measures against the coronavirus pandemic were implemented.
The coronavirus causes the Covid-19 respiratory disease.
These measures included Covid-19 PCR testing for participants 48 hours prior to the exercise, and the distribution of personal protective equipment.
To adapt to the latest safety guidelines, the Emergency Operations Centre and Crisis Media Centre were virtually activated for the very first time, with the incident management team virtually participating.
This year’s emergency exercise scenario tested how effectively all airport partners, stakeholders and government agencies respond to a grounded aircraft emergency at the airport, the statement noted.
It demonstrated the participants’ crisis readiness, and the effectiveness of communications, responses, procedures and designated facilities for the aircraft incident.
The exercise also measured how well the different stakeholders co-ordinated to ensure that the best crisis management procedures are implemented.
Commenting on the successful completion of the DIA’s fourth emergency exercise, Engineer Badr Mohamed al-Meer said: “MATAR ensures that the protection of passengers and employees is always prioritised, while safeguarding business continuity.
“The success of this emergency exercise demonstrates our safety preparedness, operational excellence and the effective co-ordination between all stakeholders.”
“I would like to thank all our partners for their valuable support and for another well organised and successfully executed emergency exercise,” he added.
The last emergency exercise held at the DIA was the “Oryx Foxtrot 2018”.
The exercise aimed to test the DIA’s readiness, capabilities and collaborative spirit in handling aircraft accidents, such as collisions.
The successful completion of the exercise demonstrated the effectiveness of the DIA’s strategic response to identify, address, and monitor potential risks as part of the airport’s resilient business continuity management plan, the statement added.

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