News

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.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) received the "Grand Winner" award across all categories and participating entities, in addition to receiving the gold award for the Best Customer Experience Measurements in the Government Sector category during the Saudi Customer Experience Awards ceremony held in Riyadh. The 'Grand Winner' award, the highest award at the Saudi Customer Experience Awards ceremony, is bestowed upon entities that demonstrate exceptional commitment to providing a distinguished customer experience at all customer journey stages. GACA's win, from among more than 100 entities from the public and private sectors, with a total of 327 entries in the various award categories, highlights its unwavering dedication to customer service excellence in a highly competitive field. GACA's implementation of the Comprehensive Assessment of Airport Services Quality program has significantly enhanced customer experiences at the Kingdom's airports. This initiative, which is focused on improving service quality, adhering to international standards, and achieving high customer satisfaction through efficient and effective practices, has brought about tangible improvements. The program evaluates travelers' experiences, monitors satisfaction levels, assesses airport facilities and services, and reviews complaint-handling mechanisms, all to elevate the travel experience.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation participated in the Global Aviation Issues Conference, hosted by the International Association of Airport Executives (IAAE), in partnership with the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), during the period from 11-12 November, at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) will take part in the seventh edition of the Bahrain International Airshow, which will be held from November 13 to 15 at Sakhir Airbase, to showcase the achievements of the Saudi aviation sector, highlight significant investment opportunities available, reinforce the Kingdom's leadership in the global aviation arena, and explore avenues for collaboration to develop a more prosperous aviation sector. GACA Spokesperson Ibtisam Al-Shehri said that at the airshow, the authority will present its initiatives to develop regulations that promote growth and innovation in the Kingdom's aviation sector, and highlight the achievements of the National Aviation Strategy, which aims to secure $100 billion in investments, boost passenger traffic to 330 million and link the Kingdom to 250 international destinations by 2030. She added that GACA will also introduce the Civil Aviation Environmental Sustainability Program, and emphasize its expertise in enhancing passenger experience and streamlining operational procedures, all in accordance with the latest international standards. The Bahrain International Airshow will feature 11 sponsoring companies, 223 civil and military delegations from 56 countries, and more than 135 local, regional, and global companies.

His Excellency the President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Mr. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, met today with the Ambassador of the Republic of India to the Kingdom, Dr. Sohail Ijaz Khan, at the Authority's headquarters in Riyadh. The meeting covered of mutual interest, focusing on enhancing cooperation in air transport between the Kingdom and the Republic of India.

The General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Monsha'at) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) yesterday during the “Beban 24” forum. Organized by “Monsha'at” under the slogan “A Global Destination for Opportunities,” the event took place from November 5 to 9 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center. The MoU was signed on behalf of Monsha’at by the Deputy Governor for the Entrepreneurship Sector, Saud bin Khalid Al-Sabhan, and on behalf of GACA, by the Deputy CEO for the Aviation Security Sector, Mohammed bin Saad Al-Fawzan. This agreement aims to foster cooperation between the two organizations to support enterprises within the civil aviation sector by organizing challenges and hackathons and encouraging innovation in the sector. Beban 24 serves as a crucial platform for advancing the rapid development of Saudi Arabia’s small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurship sectors. It helps to create a supportive environment in collaboration with enabling and supporting partners across the public and private sectors.

His Excellency the President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Mr. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, chaired the inaugural meeting of the Committee for Activating the Environmental Sustainability Program for Saudi Civil Aviation. The meeting was attended by committee members, representatives of the Ministry of Energy, and stakeholders in the aviation sector, including national carriers, airport operators, and service providers, at GACA’s main headquarters in Riyadh. This meeting marks a step towards fostering integration between government entities and aviation companies to address environmental sustainability challenges, contributing to the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative and the National Aviation Strategy. These initiatives aim to bolster the Kingdom's leadership in environmental protection, aligning with the goals of Vision 2030. The program aims to create a platform that facilitates oversight and coordination among aviation sector stakeholders, providing essential support for effective program implementation. It further seeks to strengthen follow-up practices and monitor progress to ensure continuous improvement in performance indicators and program targets, in line with the national strategy for the civil aviation sector and the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The Saudi Civil Aviation Environmental Sustainability Program (CAESP) is distinguished by a regulatory framework that promotes robust governance, comprehensiveness, and integration. It encompasses seven environmental pillars: greenhouse gas emissions, noise, biodiversity, waste management, energy and water efficiency, and climate change response. The program includes a series of initiatives, sub-programs, targets, and performance indicators developed and approved by the aviation sector. These elements are designed to ensure national targets are met and international obligations are fulfilled within a specific time frame, leveraging various enablers from both the government and private sectors.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), represented by its Beneficiary Care Center, has received two prestigious international awards at the annual Contact Center World conference in London, UK. GACA took home the "Gold" award for Best Customer Service and the "Silver" for Best Government Contact Center, competing alongside numerous government agencies and companies from around the globe. Director of the Communication Channels Department at GACA, Meshail Al-Mofawez, highlighted that these achievements underscore GACA's commitment to delivering high-quality services and enhancing beneficiary experiences. The awards reflect the authority's dedication to continuously improving service standards and achieving the highest levels of customer satisfaction. Al-Mofawez noted that GACA's success in earning these awards is due to its commitment to international best practices and quality standards, ensuring that services are provided to beneficiaries with efficiency and excellence.

The Deputy CEO of Air Transport and International Cooperation at the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Mr. Ali bin Mohammed Rajab, signed an agreement today regarding air transport services between the governments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Kosovo. The Republic of Kosovo was represented by His Excellency the Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning, and Infrastructure, Mr. Libern Aliu. Also present were His Excellency the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah; the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania, non-resident in the Republic of Kosovo, Faisal bin Ghazi Hafizi; and the Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to the Kingdom, Mr. Lulzim Mijko. The signing took place during an official visit by a delegation led by His Excellency the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, to the Republic of Kosovo. The agreement aims to enhance cooperation in the field of air transport services and to establish regulatory frameworks for safe and organized between the two countries. The agreement aligns with the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector strategy, which focuses on building international partnerships, signing new bilateral agreements, and expanding the operational network of national carriers. It further aims to position Saudi Arabia as a global logistics center in line Vision 2030, strengthening the Kingdom’s air connectivity to reach 250 global destinations, tripling the number of passengers to 330 million, and increasing air cargo capacity to reach 4.5 million tons annually by 2030.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) issued a report on the statistics of the Beneficiary Care Center from the beginning of the year to the third quarter of 2024. The report revealed that the center handled 220,537 interactions through communication channels, including 113,224 calls received via the unified number, 19,337 messages via e-mail, 13,127 direct conversations via the X platform, 48,765 interactions via the website, 25,707 automated and direct conversations via WhatsApp, in addition to 377 interactions conducted in sign language. The Beneficiary Care Center operates according to the highest quality standards. The average response speed to the customer is 5 seconds, with an average call duration of 3 minutes and 35 seconds. The percentage of lost calls stands at just 1% of total interactions, as all requests received by the center are followed up. A team of ambitious professionals from the nation work within the Beneficiary Care Center. The center serves the deaf through video calls, and all services are provided in sign language, ensuring direct interaction with service representatives. These interactions occur within a secure channel that maintains their privacy, addresses their needs, and includes their feedback through a customer satisfaction survey at the end of each interaction. The General Authority of Civil Aviation aims to enhance communication with travelers through various channels, ensuring their satisfaction with 24/7 availability. The Beneficiary Care Center is committed to strengthening the Authority's supervisory role by utilizing advanced technologies to monitor all operational processes and interactions continuously. It also analyzes data and beneficiary feedback to track performance standards across all channels. Notably, last September, the Authority's Beneficiary Care Center was awarded the Saudi Quality Certificate "Hayak" issued by the Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization. This recognition highlights the center’s excellence in applying the highest quality standards in line with quality management systems for serving beneficiaries in various facilities.