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September 12, 2024 General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, who also is the Arab Civil Aviation Organization executive council president, has called on civil aviation authorities worldwide to work together to usher in a new era of aviation for the world. During his opening speech at the UN International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Advanced Air Mobility Symposium -- held in Montreal, Canada from September 9 to 12 -- Al-Duailej urged collaborative efforts to exchange knowledge in the sector. He also underscored the importance of addressing relevant challenges and building partnerships to ensure the success of advanced air mobility technologies globally. ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano, representatives from ICAO member states, and global aviation leaders attended the event. At the ICAO symposium, Saudi Arabia was chosen to deliver the opening speech to aviation leaders from over 75 countries due to its pioneering role in international civil aviation, particularly advanced aviation. The selection also solidifies the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s global leadership in the aviation industry, with the nation serving as a gateway to the world and a global hub for trade and tourism, given its strategic location connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe. During the forum, the Kingdom highlighted its Advanced Air Mobility roadmap launched in 2024, aligning with the national aviation strategy. The roadmap signifies a comprehensive change based on seven key pillars: adopting technological solutions, developing infrastructure, achieving comprehensive governance, building trust, attracting investments, setting regulations and systems, and empowering human capital. Additionally, the Kingdom shed light on its hosting last May of the third edition of the Future Aviation Forum 2024 under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. That edition of the forum witnessed exceptional successes, including the participation of seven advanced air transport aircraft in the accompanying exhibition, making it the largest gathering of such aircraft types in the world. Furthermore, the Kingdom highlighted its experience in conducting air taxi operations during the previous Hajj season in June through GACA as an example of the role that advanced air mobility can play in various aspects of life. The Kingdom underscored the need for expanding the scope of this technology to enable and assist the millions of pilgrims who visit the holy sites annually. It emphasized unveiling future plans to establish capabilities center by 2028 that focuses on training local talents and attracting top minds and competent individuals globally. During the symposium, the ICAO granted the Global Advanced Air Mobility Academic Paper Competition award to students from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). The accolade underscores the Kingdom's potential in advanced air mobility, successfully integrating and empowering it in line with the Kingdom's ambitious goal to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2060. This potential also reinforces Saudi Arabia’s commitment to advanced research and complements its investments in Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft.

September 12, 2024 General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) President Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, along with a delegation of officials from GACA, the Ministry of Investment, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, and representatives from local private-sector companies like NEOM and Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries (SAEI), toured a BETA Technologies Company's factory in South Burlington, Vermont. BETA Technologies specializes in the production of electric aircraft and vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft. During the visit, the delegation inspected the production lines for advanced air mobility technologies, the latest infrastructure technologies used by the factory, and the operation of charging stations. They also visited the company's research and development centers, where they learned about the latest technology and enabling technologies used in carbon-free manufacturing and production, as well as the engines that rely on charging cubes, which reduce operating costs and carbon emissions. These include the VTOL aircraft and the fully electric models for vertical and conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL). The GACA delegation's visit is part of Saudi Arabia's efforts to reaffirm its commitment to enabling advanced air mobility technologies and sustainable innovations as outlined in the Advanced Air Mobility Roadmap launched by GACA earlier this year. It also aims to strengthen cooperation and build partnerships with leading companies in the civil aviation sector, explore opportunities for exchanging expertise in the field of advanced air mobility, and pursue the transfer and localization of advanced aviation technologies while enhancing research, development, and innovation cooperation.

September 10, 2024 The President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization, Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, stated that there is a significant transformation taking place in the civil aviation sector in Saudi Arabia. This transformation is part of the National Aviation Strategy, which aims to achieve the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals of building a prosperous and diversified economy. Al-Duailej made these remarks during Saudi Arabia's participation at the first forum of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) in Montreal, Canada. The forum, held from September 9 to 12, 2024, was attended by the President of the International Civil Aviation Organization, Salvatore Sciacchitano, as well as representatives from member states of the "ICAO" organization and leaders of the aviation sector worldwide. He emphasized that Saudi Arabia's participation in the forum highlights its leading role in advanced and international civil aviation. Earlier in the year, GACA launched the Advanced Air Mobility Roadmap, which aligns with the National Aviation Strategy. This roadmap outlines comprehensive changes based on seven main pillars: adopting technical solutions, developing infrastructure, achieving comprehensive governance, building trust, attracting investments, setting regulations and systems, and empowering human capital. Al-Duailej also called on civil aviation authorities worldwide to collaborate, address challenges, and build partnerships to ensure the success of advanced air mobility technologies globally. As part of the forum, the ICAO presented the Advanced Air Mobility Global Academic Paper Competition award to students from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). This acknowledgement underscores the Kingdom's capabilities in advanced air mobility and its commitment to integrating and enabling it, which aligns with its ambitious goals to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2060. The Kingdom's investments in electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) were also highlighted as part of its commitment to advanced research. Additionally, the GACA President held separate bilateral meetings with Salvatore Sciacchitano and the President of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Barry Butler, discussing ways to enhance international cooperation in the civil aviation sector.

September 08, 2024 Represented by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will participate in the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) first Advanced Air Mobility Symposium (AAM 2024), which will be held in Montreal, Canada, from September 9 to 12, 2024, with participation from ICAO member countries and global aviation leaders. The Kingdom's delegation will be headed by President of GACA Abdulaziz Al-Duailej. At the forum, GACA will showcase the national aviation strategy, its achievements, and the Kingdom's commitment to developing the aviation sector using the latest technologies in advanced air mobility. GACA will also explore opportunities for collaboration with global partners. The authority will discuss its efforts in advanced air mobility, focusing on providing safe and sustainable transportation to achieve its goal of eliminating carbon emissions and reaching net zero by 2060. The forum will feature strategic sector programs and initiatives, including the launch of a roadmap for advanced air mobility, which has accelerated the adoption of advanced air mobility technologies in the Kingdom. This includes the development of a new generation of airports, such as the Red Sea International Airport and NEOM Airport. Several successful advanced air mobility trials will be presented, including the first successful electric VTOL flight test in NEOM in June 2023 and the issuance of the world's first flying taxi license following a successful trial during the Hajj season last June. GACA will also highlight its collaboration with ICAO, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ensure global consistency in advanced air mobility regulations.

This news article is available only in the Arabic version.

September 05, 2024 The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) is hosting a three-day workshop in Jeddah in collaboration with the Cooperative Aviation Security Programme – Middle East (CASP-MID) under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The workshop aims to enhance cybersecurity in the civil aviation system and has gathered 28 representatives from member states of the program. The workshop was inaugurated by Vice President of Aviation Security and Head of CASP-MID Mohammed bin Saad Al-Fawzan underscoring the cooperative program and GACA's joint efforts in bolstering cybersecurity across the region. The event focuses on developing effective strategies and frameworks to protect the technological and informational assets of the aviation system. It addresses topics including international and national cybersecurity legislation, cybersecurity governance, risk management, and adherence to cybersecurity operations in civil aviation. GACA's commitment to hosting these initiatives aligns with the national aviation sector strategy, showcasing the latest technologies and fostering a culture of civil aviation security. These efforts ensure the highest levels of security, keeping pace with rapid advancements in the industry while adhering to international standards and national goals.