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Ties between Saudi Arabia and the United States were further stregthened in the aviation sector during a visit to the US by a delegation from the Saudi civil aviation sector, led by His Excellency Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).

The delegation visited the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the headquarters of Boeing in Washington DC,  as well as the Dreamliner facility in Charleston, South Carolina, one of the company’s largest and most advanced worldwide hubs. 

Collaboration opportunities in civil aviation, aircraft manufacturing and maintenance services, sustainability, and advanced technologies initiatives were among the many topics discussed across the two-day visit.

The visit aimed to enhance cooperation with the United States in knowledge exchange, technology transfer, and localization of the aviation industry, in line with the Kingdom’s goal of becoming a global industrial and logistics hub in aviation as part of its economic diversification, as set out in Vision 2030.

“By engaging with global aviation regulators and manufacturers, GACA is supporting Vision 2030 objectives to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s role as a hub connecting three continents, delivering greater connectivity and travel experiences for the Kingdom’s passengers. With new Saudi airlines being launched, record aircraft orders, and a focus on innovation and sustainability, the visit highlights the unprecedented opportunities being created by the Kingdom and underscores the strong Saudi–U.S. aviation partnership,” said GACA President, His Excellency Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej.

During the delegation’s tour of Boeing’s Dreamliner facility in Charleston, GACA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Boeing in the field of sustainability and advanced air mobility. The agreement was signed by Captain Sulaiman Al-Muhaimidi, GACA’s Executive Vice President for Aviation Safety and Environmental Sustainability, and Mr. Asaad Al-Jomoai, President of Boeing Saudi Arabia.

“This partnership with Boeing reflects GACA’s commitment to creating safer, smarter skies through advanced air mobility innovation. The effort further cements Saudi Arabia at the forefront of the future of aviation,” said GACA’s Executive Vice President.