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The Kingdom has been unanimously re-elected to chair the Arab States Aviation Security Committee of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization for the third consecutive term. This decision was made during the 40th meeting of the organization’s Security Committee, recently held at its headquarters in Rabat, Morocco. This achievement underscores the Kingdom's pivotal role and active contributions to the air transport industry on both regional and international levels. It reflects the Kingdom’s esteemed international standing in civil aviation forums and its proactive engagement within specialized global organizations dedicated to aviation. On this occasion, Mr. Mohammed bin Saad Al-Fawzan, the Executive Vice President for Aviation Security and Head of the Cooperative Program for Aviation Security in the Middle East, extended his gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince - may God protect them - for their unwavering and substantial support for the civil aviation sector. He emphasized the importance of bolstering joint Arab initiatives in aviation security and air transport while continuing efforts to achieve the highest safety standards in this critical industry. Mr. Al-Fawzan highlighted the Kingdom’s commitment, as a founding member of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization, to supporting the organization’s initiatives through active participation, coordination, and representation within its governing bodies including the Executive Council and technical committees. He reiterated the Kingdom’s dedication to advancing the organization’s objectives, enhancing its leadership at the international level, and collaborating with Arab stakeholders and global partners to strengthen the aviation and air transport sectors. The Kingdom has made significant contributions to global aviation security by launching initiatives under the Arab Civil Aviation Organization and deploying Saudi experts specialized international organizations. Additionally, it hosts the permanent headquarters of the Cooperative Program for Civil Aviation Security in the Middle East (CASP-MID), affiliated with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The Kingdom has also supported ICAO’s No Country Left Behind initiative with a $1 million contribution. Notably, Saudi Arabia has been a member of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization since its establishment in 1996. The organization, comprising 21member states, operates under the League of Arab States, with the aim of fostering cooperation and coordination among Arab nations in civil aviation. The Kingdom’s role in founding the Arab Civil Aviation Organization alongside its Arab counterparts exemplifies its commitment to advancing collaborative efforts that ensure the safe and sustainable growth of the Arab civil aviation sector.

His Excellency Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), met today with Sharif Walid, Ambassador of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria to the Kingdom, at the Authority's main headquarters in Riyadh. The meeting included discussions on topics of mutual interest and explored ways to strengthen cooperation between the two brotherly countries in the civil aviation sector.

The Deputy CEO of Strategy and Business Intelligence at the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Eng. Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Khuraisi, reaffirmed GACA’s commitment to developing local capabilities and empowering national cadres, a cornerstone of the National Aviation Strategy. This statement was made during his participation in a dialogue session entitled “The Impact of Local Content on the Logistics Sector,” held alongside His Excellency the Assistant Minister of Transport and Logistics Services Ahmed Al-Hassan, and the Assistant Director General for Transformation at the Saudi Group, Dr. Ibrahim Shira. The session was part of the Local Content Forum, taking place from November 20-22 in the Mayadeen Al-Diriyah Hall in Riyadh. Al-Khuraisi emphasized that GACA is leading a comprehensive strategy to enhance human capital in the aviation sector, ensuring the workforce is equipped to meet the sector's goals while upholding global safety standards and protecting passengers. He noted that the Kingdom is implementing a range of initiatives to boost workforce skills, including vocational training, partnerships with higher education institutions, and professional development programs conducted in collaboration with international entities. He highlighted significant progress made through collaboration with major aviation companies, specialized educational institutions, and local universities. These partnerships aim to meet the sector's needs and leverage growth opportunities. For instance, Riyadh Aviation Company signed a memorandum of understanding last July to establish its first flight simulator at Prince Sultan University. Additionally, the Saudi Academy, a Saudi Group entity, announced earlier this year the addition of two new A320neo simulators, bringing the total to five of this type. Al-Khuraisi also revealed that GACA has formed a dedicated local content team, working in coordination with the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority. The team’s responsibilities include collaborating with to localize industries such as aircraft control structures, surfaces production, and maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) within the Kingdom. At the sector level, several initiatives have enhanced local content and economic diversification. These include the Saudi Group's “Nartaki” program, which provides vocational training to develop expertise, and the Airports Holding Company's “Jusoor” program, which creates investment opportunities for local suppliers and manufacturers. He highlighted the Kingdom’s advantage of a young and dynamic workforce eager to contribute to the sector’s growth. Currently, more than 104,000 people are employed in the sector, with a localization rate exceeding 72%. As the sector continues to expand, the demand for pilots, engineers, technicians, logistics specialists, air and ground crews, and trainers is expected to grow. By 2030, the number of workers in direct aviation professions is projected to more than double to meet increasing demands. Al-Khuraisi concluded by outlining the National Aviation Strategy’s ambitious investments of $100 billion from both public and private sectors. These investments are distributed across three main areas: $50 billion for airport development, $40 billion for modernizing the aircraft fleet, and $10 billion for services and other projects. These efforts aim to increase annual passenger numbers to 330 million and expand air connectivity to over 250 destinations worldwide.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) is participating as a strategic sponsor in the sixth edition of the Saudi General Aviation Exhibition “Sand & Fun,” organized by the Saudi Aviation Club. The event will take place from November 19 to 23 at Al-Thumama Airport in King Khalid Royal Reserve in Riyadh. GACA's participation reaffirms its strategic role in supporting the general aviation sector and highlights its efforts in leading the transformation of the aviation industry to enhance the Kingdom’s economic growth. It also aims to showcase GACA's initiatives and programs that align with the objectives of the National Aviation Strategy and Vision 2030, focusing on enhancing cooperation and building strategic partnerships with companies and relevant entities. These efforts seek to provide safe, sustainable, and efficient air transport solutions within a regulatory framework that adheres to international best practices, ensuring safe and effective operations. As part of the exhibition, GACA will participate in dialogue sessions to share inspiring stories and insights related to the general aviation sector. The sessions will also explore the latest developments in advanced air mobility and general aviation, creating new investment opportunities in large-scale projects within the aviation sector. Highlights include recent developments in air taxi technology in Neom and the success of advanced air mobility initiatives during this year’s Hajj season. Discussions will focus on how modern mobility technologies can be seamlessly integrated into urban environments to enhance logistics services, driving the general aviation sector toward innovative horizons using cutting-edge technologies. Notably, the “Sand and Fun” event is among the most prominent aviation gatherings, aiming to inspire the next generation of pilots and aviation enthusiasts through interactive dialogue sessions and special meetings with distinguished Saudi pilots. The 2024 Sand and Fun General Aviation Exhibition is expected to attract around 100,000 visitors, along with the attendance of more than 100 VIPs and industry leaders over the course of its five days.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) yesterday concluded its successful participation in the seventh annual Bahrain International Airshow, held November 13 to 15 at the Sakhir Air Base in Bahrain. The event served as a significant platform for GACA to showcase its achievements and reaffirm the Kingdom’s leadership in the global civil aviation sector. Through its pavilion, GACA highlighted the key pillars of the National Aviation Strategy, including enhanced air connectivity with a target of reaching 250 destinations, the adoption of advanced technologies, and digital transformation. It introduced its Advanced Air Mobility Roadmap and Environmental Sustainability Program, highlighting initiatives aimed at reducing the environmental impact of aviation activities. The authority emphasized its focus on fostering investment opportunities in the aviation sector, improving the traveler experience, and streamlining operational procedures. Key topics also included quality management, passenger protection measures, and innovations in the air cargo industry, all aligning with international standards and reflecting Saudi Arabia’s prominent role in the global air transport industry. Notable achievements highlighted during the event included record-breaking milestones in economic and social development within the aviation sector. GACA underscored the Kingdom’s significant progress in global rankings and its impressive outcomes under the National Aviation Strategy. Among these, a 15% year-on-year increase in passenger numbers was recorded, reaching 94 million in the first nine months of 2024, along with a 10% rise in flight operations compared to 2023. The Bahrain International Airshow 2024 brought together a wide array of participants, including 11 sponsoring companies, 223 civil and military delegations from over 56 countries, and 135 regional and international exhibitors, making it one of the premier aviation events in the region

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has approved the issuance of annual permits for private aircraft owners. These permits apply to aircraft used for personal, non-commercial purposes, and operated by foreign companies, provided they meet the approved requirements. This initiative complements the existing individual flight permits, allowing private aircraft owners to travel to, from, and within the Kingdom more easily without needing a separate permit for each flight. This decision aligns with the objectives of the National Aviation Strategy, which seeks to enhance cooperation and establish strategic partnerships with companies and relevant entities. It aims to provide safe, sound, sustainable, and efficient transportation solutions within a regulatory framework that adheres to international best practices. These efforts support the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals, and the implementation of the General Aviation Roadmap, which prioritizes increasing private aircraft operations based in the Kingdom and streamlining procedural requirements. For additional details, please contact the Flight Permits Department at GAFC@Gaca.gov.sa. For further inquiries, contact the General Administration of General Aviation via email at generalaviation@gaca.gov.sa.