A significant partnership between Blue Ocean Academy, the region’s largest knowledge empowerment enterprise and the prestigious International Air Transport Association (IATA), has resulted in the launch of new IATA-certified training courses that will reinforce the skills of professionals from the aviation sector and reinforce UAE’s position as a global aviation hub. Blue Ocean offers a series of courses ranging from safety awareness, airline revenue management, ground operations management and dangerous goods regulations.   The iconic Al Maktoum International Airports and the Dubai World Central fuelled up the nation’s aviation industry and the IATA courses introduced at the Blue Ocean Academy intend to bridge the gap between knowledge and infrastructure. As the nation is very keen on investing hugely in the aviation industry, the next major challenge will be equipping the airports and other aviation sectors with skilled and trained manpower. Blue Ocean is addressing this concern by providing training headed by industry experts to equip aspiring individuals with the adequate knowledge and skills required to excel in their aviation careers.   The UAE aviation industry has already established itself as a key driver of the nation’s diversified economy in 2018. According to the available reports, the country is investing 85 billion Dirhams, in airport development and expansion after which the airport will attend around 300 million passengers every year. With 14 airports, airstrips, and airfields served by 113 airlines, the total annual take-off and landings exceed 540,000.   Blue Ocean conducts public batches and corporate training programmes, that not only focus on putting participants in touch with the best practices in airports and airlines throughout the world but also make them more tech-savvy, customer-friendly and efficient. The participants get certified by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority and become eligible to earn an international diploma from the International Air Transport Association.