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This news article is available only in the Arabic version.

July 29, 2024 The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) concluded its participation in the Africa-Indian Ocean Aviation Week (AFI Week 2024) conference, hosted by Gabon’s capital city of Libreville. AFI Week 2024 aimed to continue developing strategies and measures necessary to support and enhance the aviation industry on the continent. GACA, represented by Executive Vice President of Air Transport and International Cooperation Ali bin Mohammed Rajab, announced during his speech at the opening ceremony that the Kingdom has allocated $150,000 to the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Comprehensive Regional Implementation Plan for Aviation Safety in Africa (AFI Plan) and the Comprehensive Regional Implementation Plan for Aviation Security and Facilitation in Africa (AFI SECFAL Plan). Rajab noted that the initiative aims to enhance security and safety levels in air transport. The amount, he said, is part of the $1 million donation made by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the ICAO's No Country Left Behind (NCLB) initiative. He also indicated that the Kingdom is one of the largest supporters of international organizations and a pioneer in supporting the aviation industry. Moreover, he stressed that the Kingdom is continuously committed to contributing to the growth of this industry, aiming to enhance its performance. On the sidelines of AFI Week 2024, Gabon Vice President Joseph Berre received the Saudi ambassador to Gabon, Faraj bin Nader, and GACA's Rajab in Libreville. During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations, areas of cooperation, and ways to enhance and develop them in the field of civil aviation between the two countries. In a separate meeting, Rajab met with African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) Secretary-General Adefunke Adeyemi, discussing ways to enhance cooperation between the Kingdom and AFCAC in various fields of civil aviation.

July 29, 2024 The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) authorized Air Samarkand to commence flights for passengers from Uzbekistan to Saudi Arabia during the summer season of 2024. The Uzbek airline will operate two weekly flights from Samarkand to Jeddah in a step that aligns with GACA’s ongoing efforts to enhance air connectivity between the Kingdom and the world. Such efforts are part of the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to establish the Kingdom as a global logistical hub and open new horizons for travel, in line with the goals of the Saudi Aviation Strategy.

July 27, 2024 The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia concluded its tour of several events in the United Kingdom (UK) held on the sidelines of the Farnborough International Airshow 2024, which took place from July 22 to 26 at Farnborough Airport in the United Kingdom, it was reported today. President of GACA and head of its delegation Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej reviewed the investment opportunities enabled by the National Aviation Strategy and assessed the extent of the developments led by GACA in the system aiming to enable growth and innovation in the aviation industry. During their visit to the exhibition, Al-Duailej and the accompanying delegation were briefed on the latest technologies, innovations, and solutions in the aviation industry, including advanced air mobility, space, and sustainability. They also explored the modern technologies offered by the participating companies in the field of civil aviation. The delegation also visited Cranfield University in Britain, where they were briefed on the university's research in aviation sciences, including the latest technologies offered by its digital air traffic control center. GACA also held a roundtable meeting with Saudi-British Joint Business Council to discuss investment and cooperation opportunities in the civil aviation sector. The meeting addressed ways to enhance investment relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the UK, as well as efforts to develop economic and investment ties between them. It also discussed ways to develop high-quality investments and enable the private sector to benefit from investment opportunities in both countries. On the sidelines of the exhibition, GACA signed a memorandum of cooperation with the German company Lilium, a leading manufacturer of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, with the aim of contributing to the development of the regulatory framework for advanced air mobility in Saudi Arabia. The memorandum strengthens GACA's cooperation with international companies to enable advanced air mobility applications in Saudi Arabia and aligns with its efforts to establish regulations and rules that encourage the growth of this type of mobility while ensuring the highest levels of safety, security, and passenger protection. The Saudi Air Navigation Services Company (SANS) also signed a framework agreement with the British Air Traffic Services (NATS) to enhance airport capacity. In addition, SANS signed a memorandum of understanding between the Saudi Academy of Civil Aviation, Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz University, and Cranfield University, with the goal of developing aviation science research between the two parties and exchanging expertise among specialists. flynas, Saudi Arabia's leading low-cost air carrier, also signed an agreement with Airbus to purchase 160 new aircraft, including 30 wide-body A330neo aircraft and 130 single-aisle aircraft of various models from the A320 family, bringing the total volume of its aircraft purchase orders to 280 within seven years

July 25, 2024, Leading carrier and best low-cost airline in the Middle East flynas has signed a landmark agreement with Airbus for the purchase of 160 new aircraft. The order comprises 30 wide-body A330neo airplanes and 130 narrow body A320-family airplanes. It more than doubles flynas’ total ordered aircraft to 280 over seven years after a 2016 deal to purchase 120 airplanes. The move aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, aimed at transforming the aviation sector and supporting flynas’ ambitious expansion under the slogan “We connect the world to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” This deal cements flynas’ status as one of the top four low-cost airlines worldwide. The agreement was signed at Farnborough Airshow in London, attended by General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej and flynas chairman Ayed Aljeaid. The signing ceremony also featured flynas chief executive and managing director Bander Almohanna, chief executive of commercial aircraft Christian Scherer, and executive vice president of commercial transactions Paul Meijers. “I congratulate flynas on this significant agreement, which reflects the rapid development and transformation of Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector under Vision 2030,” Al-Duailej said, celebrating the milestone. “The growth and expansion of flynas are truly remarkable.” He described the deal as pivotal for achieving the National Civil Aviation Strategy’s goal to connect the Kingdom with over 250 international destinations and increase passenger traffic to 330 million annually by 2030. Almohanna highlighted the strategic importance of the deal, stating that it reinforces the determination to establish flynas as a leading global low-cost carrier. “By doubling our order volume to 280 Airbus aircraft, we ensure sustainable growth across our network of regional and international routes, spanning short, medium, and long-haul flights,” he said. Notably, this is the carrier’s first order for Airbus' wide-body A330neo, with deliveries starting in 2027, Almohanna noted. He said that the new purchase will enable the carrier to explore new long-haul markets, offer more seat capacity, with diverse and innovative products to the passengers. Almohanna further noted that doubling the volume of flynas’ fleet orders supports the National Civil Aviation Strategy’s objectives, including increasing international connectivity to Saudi Arabia. Additionally, it reinforces the objectives of the Pilgrim Experience Program and the National Tourism Strategy and creates numerous direct and indirect job opportunities. Almohanna underscored flynas’ commitment to medium- and long-term growth, aiming to expand the fleet operation size to over 160 aircraft by 2030 from 61 aircraft currently. The existing fleet consists of 53 A320neo aircraft, four A320ceo aircraft, and four A330ceo aircraft. Meanwhile, Scherer expressed delight to expand Airbus’ partnership with flynas through this significant deal for both A320neo and A330-900 aircraft. “The A330neo will allow flynas to further grow into widebody markets by building on the A320, benefiting from Airbus’ unique commonality,” Scherer emphasized. “Both aircraft types offer flynas the perfect versatility and economics to expand into new markets while offering their passengers the latest cabin experience and comfort. He added that Airbus looks forward to continuing its successful collaboration with flynas as it embarks on an exciting new chapter. Last year at the 2023 Paris Air Show, flynas signed an agreement with Airbus for 30 additional A320neo aircraft as part of fleet expansion from the previous order for 120 aircraft, which was signed in 2016. Currently, flynas operates over 70 domestic and international routes with more than 1,500 weekly flights and has served over 78 million passengers since its launch in 2007.

July 25, 2024 The General Authority of Civil Aviation held a roundtable meeting of the Saudi-British Business Council in London, the capital of the United Kingdom, to explore investment and cooperation opportunities in the civil aviation sector. The meeting was chaired by His Excellency Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, Chairman of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, and attended by Dr. Rania Lenotardi, Director General of Aviation, Maritime, and Security at the British Department for Transport, along with Jenny Gubbins, Chair of the British side of the council. The meeting also included the participation of a delegation from the Saudi-British Business Council, vice presidents, CEOs, officials, and a number of experts in the fields of aviation, airports, and aviation service sectors قدت الهيئة العامة للطيران المدني اجتماع الطاولة المستديرة لمجلس الأعمال السعودي البريطاني في العاصمة البريطانية لندن، لبحث فرص الاستثمار والتعاون في مجال قطاع الطيران المدني، برئاسة معالي رئيس الهيئة العامة للطيران المدني الأستاذ عبدالعزيز بن عبدالله الدعيلج، وبحضور المدير العام لمجموعة الطيران والبحرية والأمن في وزارة النقل البريطانية الدكتورة رانيا لينوتاريدي، ورئيس الجانب البريطاني في المجلس جيني جوبينز، وبمشاركة وفد من مجلس الأعمال السعودي البريطاني، ونواب الرئيس والرؤساء التنفيذيين والمسؤولين وعدد من الخبراء في مجال الطيران والمطارات وقطاعات الخدمات بمنظومة الطيران وتناول الاجتماع سبل الارتقاء بالعلاقات الاستثمارية بين البلدين، وتعزيز الجهود لتنمية الروابط الاقتصادية والاستثمارية بين المملكة العربية السعودية والمملكة المتحدة، ومناقشة سبل تنمية الاستثمارات النوعية وتمكين القطاع الخاص من الاستفادة من الفرص الاستثمارية في كلا البلدين واستعرض معالي رئيس هيئة الطيران المدني في كلمة له خلال افتتاح أعمال الاجتماع الإستراتيجية الوطنية للطيران المدني وأواصر العلاقات الثنائية بين المملكة العربية السعودية والمملكة المتحدة. وقال معاليه: ترتكز علاقتنا الاقتصادية اليوم على شراكة تجارية واستثمارية ناجحة، إذ بلغت القيمة الإجمالية للصادرات السعودية إلى المملكة المتحدة 1.36 مليار ريال بحلول الربع الأول من العام 2024، فيما بلغ معدل النمو السنوي لصادراتنا إلى المملكة المتحدة 5.82% في الفترة من 2018 إلى 2023، ما يعكس متانة العلاقات الاقتصادية بين البلدين وأفاد أن المملكة المتحدة تمثل مصدراً رئيسياً في السوق الأوروبية ففي عام 2023، تقارب حركة المسافرين في الاتجاهين بين المملكة العربية السعودية والمملكة المتحدة 1 مليون مسافر، بنسبة زيادة ملحوظة بلغت 50% مقارنة بالعام الذي سبقه وأشار معاليه إلى ما تمتاز به المملكة من موقع إستراتيجي يربط بين ثلاث قارات، وحرص المملكة العربية السعودية على توفير فرص غير مسبوقة للطيران العالمي، والتزام المملكة بتنمية البنية التحتية لقطاع الطيران المدني، الذي سيسهم في تعزيز العلاقات التجارية بين البلدين بشكل أكبر، حيث تقوم الهيئة باستكشاف الحلول المبتكرة في عالم الطيران، مثل التنقل الجوي المتقدم (AAM)، وأنظمة إدارة الحركة الجوية المتقدمة، حيث سيلعب تكامل الذكاء الاصطناعي والتقنيات الرقمية دوراً حاسماً في تعزيز تجربة الطيران الشاملة وتحسين الكفاءة التشغيلية. عقب ذلك، قدم أعضاء الوفد عرضاً تضمن نظرة عامة على الإستراتيجية الوطنية للطيران وأبرز منجزاتها، ودورها في تعزيز الربط الجوي للوصول إلى 250 وجهة، وتمكين استخدام التكنولوجيا والتحول الرقمي، ولمحة عن مبادرتي خارطة طريق التنقل الجوي المتقدم، وبرنامج الاستدامة البيئية لأنشطة الطيران المدني، اللتان مهّدتا الطريق أمام بناء منظومة جوية متقدمة ورائدة، من شأنها تطوير مفهوم النقل والخدمات اللوجستية، والمحافظة على البيئة وتحسين جودة الحياة ودعم التنمية الاقتصادية، إضافة إلى نبذة مختصرة عن قطاع المطارات السعودية -تتضمن آلية التنفيذ وحجم الاستثمارات وفرص الأعمال، إلى جانب تسليط الضوء على الاستثمار في قطاع الطيران السعودي وعوامل التمكين والحوافز. بعد ذلك، وقعت شركة خدمات الملاحة الجوية السعودية SANS مع شركة مراقبة الحركة الجوية البريطانية NATS ، اتفاقية إطارية لتعزيز سعة المطارات. وضمن أعمال اجتماع الطاولة المستديرة السعودي البريطاني، التقى معالي رئيس الهيئة العامة للطيران المدني الأستاذ عبدالعزيز بن عبدالله الدعيلج، بالمدير العام لمجموعة الطيران والبحرية والأمن في وزارة النقل البريطانية الدكتورة رانيا لينوتاريدي، جرى خلاله استعراض أوجه التعاون المشترك بين الجانبين في مجال الطيران المدني، كما التقى معالي رئيس الهيئة العامة للطيران المدني رئيس مجلس مديري شركة خدمات الملاحة الجوية السعودية الأستاذ عبدالعزيز بن عبدالله الدعيلج كلاً من: الرئيس التنفيذي لشركة مراقبة الحركة الجوية، مارتن رولف، والرئيس التنفيذي لشركة قولف ستريم مارك بيرنز، بحضور ممثلي قطاع الطيران بالمملكة؛ نوقش خلاله مستجدات صناعة الطيران وأوجه التعاون في مجال الطيران العام، وسبل تعزيزها في المملكة