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The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Lithuania signed an agreement to enhance cooperation in air transport services. The accord was formalized by General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) President Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej and Lithuanian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq Ramunas Davidonis during a ceremony today at GACA's headquarters in Riyadh. The agreement sets a regulatory framework for air transport operations between the two countries and aligns with the goals of Saudi Arabia's civil aviation sector strategy. It aims to expand the operational network of national carriers, elevate the Kingdom's status as a global logistics hub, and increase its global air connectivity to 250 destinations. The agreement also supports the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 by contributing to ambitious targets, including transporting 330 million passengers annually and establishing Saudi Arabia as a global logistics platform.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) concluded its participation yesterday in the 35th General Assembly of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), held in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. The assembly, which took place from November 26 to 29, was opened by Prime Minister of the Republic of Congo Anatole Collinet Makosso and attended by AFCAC Chairman Silas Udahemuka, AFCAC Secretary General Adefunke Adeyemi, and heads of civil aviation authorities from the commission's member states, along with representatives of the African Union. During the main session, Executive Vice President for Air Transport and International Cooperation at GACA Ali Rajab presented the achievements of the national aviation sector strategy and the authority's role in positioning the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a global logistics hub connecting countries around the world. Rajab also highlighted future investment opportunities for the Kingdom in the global aviation sector. He emphasized that the Kingdom is investing $100 billion, with the goal of transporting 330 million passengers and 4.5 million tons of cargo by air, and operating 250 international destinations by 2030. Rajab also discussed Saudi Arabia’s environmental sustainability program for civil aviation (CAESP), which aims to promote sustainable aviation practices. He noted that the program underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, combating climate change, and lowering the carbon footprint of civil aviation activities. Rajab reviewed the Kingdom's support for international initiatives and organizations, such as the “No Country Left Behind” campaign launched by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), as well as its contributions to supporting global aviation compliance with international standards, particularly in safety, air navigation efficiency, security, and environmental preservation. He affirmed that the Kingdom will continue to significantly support these plans and collaborate with AFCAC, member states, and all international partners to develop a safe, sustainable, efficient, and environmentally friendly civil aviation industry in African countries.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) showcased its initiatives, programs, and achievements in enabling advanced air mobility during its participation in the Advanced Air Mobility Conference held from November 26 to 27 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Representing GACA, the Advisor to the Deputy CEO for Strategy and Business Intelligence, Mr. Khalid Al-Harthi, outlined the Authority’s efforts to align with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. This includes the launch of a comprehensive roadmap for advanced air mobility, which has accelerated the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, facilitated the establishment of a new generation of vertical airports, and supported the development of infrastructure for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft – key elements of advanced air mobility. A visual presentation highlighted several successful initiatives across the Kingdom, such as the first successful VTOL flight test in the Neom region in June 2023 and the deployment of air taxi services during the Hajj season the same year. Mr. Al-Harthi emphasized the significance of international cooperation between civil aviation authorities to establish a unified regulatory framework that fosters the growth of the advanced aviation sector. He also stressed the Kingdom's commitment to promoting public-private sector partnerships and attracting leading advanced aircraft manufacturers to the Saudi market. As part of the conference agenda, GACA, represented by the Director General of Airworthiness, Mr. Matar Al-Zahrani, engaged in several technical meetings with Brazilian aviation officials. These discussions addressed key topics, including technical approvals for aircraft designs used in advanced air mobility operations, the exchange of expertise on best practices, and solutions to empower local industries to manufacture such aircraft in the Kingdom. The meetings also focused on ensuring compliance with international safety standards and exploring technical solutions to support the initial operations of advanced air mobility systems.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), represented by the General Directorate of General Aviation, organized a workshop with owners of light and sports aircraft to address key challenges in operating these aircraft. The event was held at the Saudi Flying Club headquarters in Al-Thumama. The workshop is part of GACA’s broader efforts under the “General Aviation Roadmap,” which aims to position the Kingdom as a global hub for general aviation. This initiative seeks to create an attractive environment for aviation by unlocking the sector’s potential, establishing a strong foundation, and promoting sustainability. The roadmap also focuses on enhancing infrastructure and developing specialized centers for housing and maintaining aircraft, aligning with the objectives of Vision 2030. Eng. Imtiaz bin Mohammed Al-Manzari, Director General of General Aviation at GACA, stated that the workshop's goal is to improve operational services for light and sport aircraft, facilitating smoother movement across the Kingdom for local and international owners, whether visiting or transiting during their travels. Notably, the Saudi Flying Club, established in 2000, represents the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the International Air Sports Federation (FAI) and is a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). With over 500 members of various nationalities, the club oversees both locally and internationally registered aircraft. By collaborating with foreign aviation clubs, the Saudi Flying Club brings global insights and practices to enhance the light and sport aircraft sector in the Kingdom.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has announced the start of regular commercial flights by Transavia France between Saudi Arabia and France. The flights will operate between Lyon and Paris, with routes extending to Jeddah during the winter season of 2024, with a frequency of two flights per week commencing on December 12. This is part of GACA's continuous endeavor to strengthen air connectivity and integrate the Kingdom into the global network, consistent with the Saudi Vision 2030 goal of positioning Saudi Arabia as a global logistics hub, and the National Aviation Strategy objective of forging new routes for air travel.

Saudi Arabia has secured the presidency of the Civil Aviation Security Committee of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO) for the third consecutive term after obtaining unanimous approval at the recent 40th committee meeting in the Moroccan capital, Rabat. This accomplishment underscores Saudi Arabia's pivotal role and constructive efforts in dealing with developments in the aviation industry, both regionally and globally. It clearly demonstrates the Kingdom's esteemed international standing in forums related to civil aviation and its proactive engagement in specialized international organizations in the field. On this occasion, Mohammed Al Fozan, Executive Vice-President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) for Aviation Security and Chairman of the Cooperative Aviation Security Programme– Middle East (CASP-MID), expressed his gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH the Crown Prince for their substantial and unwavering support for the civil aviation sector. He underlined the significance of enhancing collaborative Arab efforts in aviation security and the entire aviation transportation sector, as well as maintaining continuous communication to uphold the highest safety standards in this vital industry.