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The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), participated with a high-level delegation in the 55th edition of the Paris Air Show “Le Bourget,” held in the French capital Paris from June 16 to 22, 2025. The delegation was headed by His Excellency Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of GACA’s Board of Directors, and included His Excellency Mr. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, President of GACA, as well as several CEOs and experts in aviation, airports, and aviation-related service sectors. The participation aims to explore opportunities for cooperation in enhancing air connectivity, economic growth, and promising investment prospects, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

GACA’s participation is intended to strengthen relationships with major international aviation and aerospace companies, and stakeholders in the air transport industry in general. It also seeks to develop new air routes, promote investment opportunities in the Saudi aviation sector under the National Aviation Strategy, and enhance bilateral relations through meetings between countries involved in the aviation industry.

During the visit, His Excellency the Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, accompanied by GACA’s President, Vice Presidents, and CEOs of companies operating within the Saudi civil aviation sector, toured the exhibition. They visited various pavilions to explore the latest technologies, innovations, and aviation solutions presented, including advanced air mobility, aerospace, and environmental sustainability. They also viewed the integrated products offered by specialized companies for the design and assembly of commercial and military aircraft, which are distinguished by their application of the highest standards in automation, digitization, and smart manufacturing concepts.

The delegation visited the pavilions of the Saudi aviation ecosystem, including national airlines, companies, and institutions. They listened to presentations from pavilion representatives on the services, technologies, and innovative digital solutions currently being implemented in the sector. They were also briefed on recent developments in maintenance, manufacturing, and aviation training services, as well as on the latest equipment and systems showcased by hundreds of local and international manufacturers.

As part of the exhibition activities, and in the presence of His Excellency the Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and His Excellency the President of GACA, the Authority signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Airbus in areas of mutual interest. These included environmental sustainability, airworthiness and flight operations safety, the exchange of technical and technological expertise, and the development of national competencies. Additionally, an agreement was signed between Avilease, an aircraft leasing company, and Airbus for the purchase of 77 advanced aircraft, including A350 freighters and A320 narrow-body aircraft. Another agreement was signed by Riyadh Air to purchase 50 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, expanding its fleet to 182 aircraft in preparation for connecting Riyadh to 100 global destinations by 2030. Furthermore, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Second Airports Holding Company (Tamaheel Airports) and Airbus to explore training and development opportunities and investment cooperation.

During the visit, His Excellency Mr. Abdulaziz Al-Duailej also met separately with Mr. Damien Cazé, Director General of the French Civil Aviation Authority; Mr. Arjan Meijer, President and CEO of Embraer; and His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications. These meetings explored ways to strengthen collaboration in advancing the civil aviation sector.

The participation of the Saudi aviation ecosystem in the Paris Air Show aims to highlight the Kingdom’s civil aviation sector as a key engine of national economic growth. It seeks to present the investment opportunities available within the sector, gain insight into the latest global aviation innovations, explore areas of cooperation with leading international manufacturers and institutions, and build strategic partnerships with France and other global partners. These efforts support the Kingdom’s ambition to position itself as a regional and international hub for aviation.

It is worth noting that the Paris Air Show “Le Bourget” is one of the world’s most important aviation exhibitions, attracting thousands of participants from the aviation, aerospace, and defense industries worldwide. The exhibition offers companies an opportunity to showcase new products and technologies, demonstrate innovation capabilities, and exchange knowledge and expertise. It also serves as a platform to present the latest developments in aircraft technologies and aviation industry equipment, in response to the rapid growth and rising demand for air travel in the coming years.