The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

What are the objectives of the DGCA

The DGCA is a public administration belonging to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport. The DGCA main objective is to promote air transport as a convenient, quick and safe transportation means. This will boost the economy, enhance tourism and encourage Lebanese immigrants to visit more often their homeland.

To achieve this objective, the DGCA has invested heavily in the infrastructure which permitted us to adopt the newest technologies and procedures.

In this development process the human factor was not neglected. In deed a modern well-equipped training facility was set up to prepare new recruits in the various trades of Civil Aviation.

Now Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport is considered one of the best airports in the region, which offers its services to about 40 foreign airline companies.

What does the DGCA actually do?

According to Presidential Decree 1610 issued on 26/7/1971 , the duties of the DGCA are to :

• Manage the Lebanese air space
• Offer air traffic services ( ATS ) , including radar services , 24 hours a day
• Administer and operate civilian airports
• Exchange aeronautical messages ( flight plans , notams , meteorological bulletins ) with the Civil Aviation Authorities in the world , over the "Aeronautical Fixed Transmission Network " ( AFTN )
• Design and administer written tests and check flights to candidates of pilots and crews .
• Issue and renew licences for pilots and crew members .
• Issue "Air Operation certificate " ( AOC ) to aircrafts.
• Validate simulator performance and authorize airline companies to include the simulator in their training programs.
• Coordinate search and rescue activities with concerned parties and local authorities
• Negotiate and finalize "Air services Agreements" between Lebanon and other countries
• Authorize landing of aircraft's at RHIAB and overflying of Lebanese airspace
• Prepare studies and reports related to air transportation
• Maintain " Aircraft Register "
• Study applications to establish new companies ( Air taxi handling companies etc…) and issue licences, in case of approval, to be signed by the Minister of Transport .
• Prepare meteorological bulletins to be dispatched by AFTN and "Satellite Distribution System" ( SADIS )
• Communicate meterobgical information to the various ministries, agencies, research institutes, universities, schools, private companies and the public.