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October 14, 2024 Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (CAGA), will host the 71st session of the International Satellite Search and Rescue Program (COSPAS-SARSAT) from October 15 to 24. The meeting will be chaired by Henrik Smith, Head of the Program, and will welcome representatives from 45 countries and organizations, alongside key Saudi government entities such as the General Directorate of Border Guards, the Royal Saudi Air Force, the National Center for Security Operations, the Saudi Space Agency, and the Communications and Space Technology Commission. The hosting reflects the Kingdom’s active role in the air transport sector and its commitment to satellite search and rescue operations at local, regional and international levels. Saudi Arabia is a pioneer in the region, having been among the first to join the program as a provider of ground sectors. The meeting, marking the first time it is held outside the headquarters of the program’s General Secretariat or its founding countries (the United States of America, France, Russia and Canada), will discuss several critical topics. Key agenda items include: - Operational and technical reports concerning the space and ground sectors of the Program. - Updates on emergency locator devices and administrative matters, including the review of previous council decisions and progress reports. - Discussions with international bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). - Presentation of the General Secretariat’s 2023 Annual Report, and review of the Secretariat's work plan for 2025. - Review of the Joint Committee's 38th meeting report (JC-38) and related recommendations. - Finalization of the program’s documents for approval, and confirmation or amendment of the agenda for future meetings. During the event, the General Authority of Civil Aviation will showcase the Saudi Search and Rescue Center, operated by the Saudi Air Navigation Services Company. As one of the region’s first centers, it leverages the COSPAS-SARSAT to provide distress signal notifications to relevant government agencies. The center’s services extend beyond the Kingdom, to seven neighboring countries in accordance with the regulations of the international program. This meeting underscores Saudi Arabia’s leadership in satellite-based search and rescue efforts, and its ongoing commitment to advancing collaboration in this critical field.

October 14, 2024 General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej inaugurated today in Riyadh the fourth meeting of the Middle East Regional Aviation Security and Facilitation Group (MID-RASFG/4) aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and exchanging expertise in aviation security and travel facilitation. Speaking at the opening of the two-day meeting, co-hosted by GACA and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Middle East Regional Office, Al-Duailej emphasized Saudi Arabia's commitment to implementing ICAO international standards and highlighted the Kingdom's significant achievements in this area. These accomplishments include the introduction of the highly secure Saudi electronic passport, participation in the Public Key Directory, and the use of advanced technologies like big data and artificial intelligence to enhance inspection and monitoring operations. Al-Duailej highlighted the Kingdom's commitment to aviation security, as demonstrated by its 94.4% compliance rate in the ICAO aviation safety audit report, 100% compliance with Annex 9 to the Chicago Convention standards, and a seventh-place ranking among G20 countries in aviation security. Saudi Arabia presented a unified air travel requirements initiative aimed at creating a standardized global health framework for aviation in an effort to facilitate travel, unify health information protocols, and protect traveler health and safety. The meeting will address key topics such as following up on recommendations and decisions from the previous meeting (MID-RASFG/3), developing regional and global aviation security capabilities, discussing aviation security policy and counter-terrorism measures, improving airport security procedures through advanced technology, examining the impact of aviation-related legislation on public security, and reviewing Saudi Arabia's experience in quality control and compliance with international security standards.

October 13, 2024 The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has awarded four commercial licenses to leading global companies in the fields of innovative technology, artificial intelligence, logistics services, and e-commerce to operate in the Riyadh Integrated Special Logistics Zone. GACA President Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej attended the license handover ceremony at the Global Logistics Forum 2024, organized by the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services from October 12 to 14 at the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh. Represented by Executive Vice President for Economic Policies and Logistics Awad Al-Sulami GACA granted a commercial license to a subsidiary of Alat, in partnership with a leading innovative technology and AI company, to engage in light manufacturing operations and logistics services. In the manufacturing sector, GACA issued a commercial license to Bahri Logistics to provide logistics services for Boeing aircraft spare parts. The license was handed over to Bahri Logistics President Soror Basalom enabling investment in the Riyadh Integrated Special Logistics Zone. Additionally, the Danish company Danfoss was granted a commercial license to conduct light manufacturing operations. In the e-commerce sector, GACA issued a commercial license to SHEIN for product distribution. The license aims to establish a regional distribution hub in the zone to serve the Middle East and North Africa.

October 13, 2024 President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej stressed that the National Aviation Strategy focuses on positioning the Kingdom as one of the top global logistics hubs by 2030. Al-Duailej made his remarks while participating in a panel discussion on the role of air freight in enhancing the Kingdom's leadership in the global logistics sector. The panel discussion was part of the Global Logistics Forum, held in Riyadh under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and organized by the Ministry of Transport and Logistics from October 12 to 14. He explained that the Kingdom enjoys a unique geographical location, situated at the crossroads of three continents, with approximately 50% of the world's population within a five-hour flight. Al-Duailej added that this positioning enables the Kingdom to connect quickly and efficiently to vital markets through air freight, especially in a world where supply chains are under increasing pressure due to geopolitical factors. Al-Duailej pointed out that the Kingdom seeks to expand its air freight capabilities by increasing its fleet from the current seven cargo planes to 27, in collaboration with national carriers. He noted that this move supports the Kingdom's air freight goals, where the number of aircraft is expected to increase from 241 to 657 by 2030, including 187 wide-body and 470 narrow-body aircraft, positioning the Kingdom’s aviation infrastructure as a globally competitive power.

October 11, 2024 The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) will take part in the Global Logistics Forum (GLF), held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The event, hosted by the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services, will take place from October 12-14, 2024, at the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh. With over 100 speakers, including industry experts, leaders, and government representatives, GLF offers a platform to discuss the future of the logistics sector. GACA's participation is an opportunity to highlight the Kingdom's commitment to transforming into a global logistics hub by 2030, as outlined in the National Aviation Strategy and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy. GACA aims to increase air cargo capacity from 0.8 million tons in 2023 to 4.5 million tons by 2030, making Saudi Arabia a crucial link in global supply chains. This ambitious goal is supported by a $100 billion investment in modernizing the Kingdom's aviation infrastructure and leveraging its strategic geographical location. GLF is expected to attract over 10,000 visitors from 30 countries, providing a valuable platform for exchanging best practices and addressing industry challenges.

October 9, 2024 The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), represented by the Air Transport and International Cooperation Sector, has announced its approval for Cathay Pacific Airways to begin operating regular passenger flights between Hong Kong and Riyadh. The flights, scheduled for the winter season of 2024, will operate three times per week, starting on October 28, 2024. This initiative is part of GACA’s ongoing efforts to enhance air connectivity and strengthen Saudi Arabia’s links with the global community. It aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to position the Kingdom as a global logistics platform and open new travel opportunities in accordance with the Saudi Aviation Strategy.