UAE would conduct its own separate re-certification of the aircraft, said aviation authority.

The head of the United Arab Emirates General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said on Sunday he was not optimistic the Boeing 737 Max would return to operations in the fourth quarter of this year and it was more likely to be in the first quarter of 2020.

Director General Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi told reporters in Dubai that the UAE would conduct its own separate re-certification of the aircraft, rather than follow the Federal Aviation Authority.

He added that he expects to complete the process of certifying Abu Dhabi airport's new Midfield terminal by the end of the year.