News

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia concluded its tour of several events in the United Kingdom (UK) held on the sidelines of the Farnborough International Airshow 2024, which took place from July 22 to 26 at Farnborough Airport in the United Kingdom, it was reported today. President of GACA and head of its delegation Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej reviewed the investment opportunities enabled by the National Aviation Strategy and assessed the extent of the developments led by GACA in the system aiming to enable growth and innovation in the aviation industry. During their visit to the exhibition, Al-Duailej and the accompanying delegation were briefed on the latest technologies, innovations, and solutions in the aviation industry, including advanced air mobility, space, and sustainability. They also explored the modern technologies offered by the participating companies in the field of civil aviation. The delegation also visited Cranfield University in Britain, where they were briefed on the university's research in aviation sciences, including the latest technologies offered by its digital air traffic control center. GACA also held a roundtable meeting with Saudi-British Joint Business Council to discuss investment and cooperation opportunities in the civil aviation sector. The meeting addressed ways to enhance investment relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the UK, as well as efforts to develop economic and investment ties between them. It also discussed ways to develop high-quality investments and enable the private sector to benefit from investment opportunities in both countries. On the sidelines of the exhibition, GACA signed a memorandum of cooperation with the German company Lilium, a leading manufacturer of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, with the aim of contributing to the development of the regulatory framework for advanced air mobility in Saudi Arabia. The memorandum strengthens GACA's cooperation with international companies to enable advanced air mobility applications in Saudi Arabia and aligns with its efforts to establish regulations and rules that encourage the growth of this type of mobility while ensuring the highest levels of safety, security, and passenger protection. The Saudi Air Navigation Services Company (SANS) also signed a framework agreement with the British Air Traffic Services (NATS) to enhance airport capacity. In addition, SANS signed a memorandum of understanding between the Saudi Academy of Civil Aviation, Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz University, and Cranfield University, with the goal of developing aviation science research between the two parties and exchanging expertise among specialists. flynas, Saudi Arabia's leading low-cost air carrier, also signed an agreement with Airbus to purchase 160 new aircraft, including 30 wide-body A330neo aircraft and 130 single-aisle aircraft of various models from the A320 family, bringing the total volume of its aircraft purchase orders to 280 within seven years

July 25, 2024, Leading carrier and best low-cost airline in the Middle East flynas has signed a landmark agreement with Airbus for the purchase of 160 new aircraft. The order comprises 30 wide-body A330neo airplanes and 130 narrow body A320-family airplanes. It more than doubles flynas’ total ordered aircraft to 280 over seven years after a 2016 deal to purchase 120 airplanes. The move aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, aimed at transforming the aviation sector and supporting flynas’ ambitious expansion under the slogan “We connect the world to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” This deal cements flynas’ status as one of the top four low-cost airlines worldwide. The agreement was signed at Farnborough Airshow in London, attended by General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej and flynas chairman Ayed Aljeaid. The signing ceremony also featured flynas chief executive and managing director Bander Almohanna, chief executive of commercial aircraft Christian Scherer, and executive vice president of commercial transactions Paul Meijers. “I congratulate flynas on this significant agreement, which reflects the rapid development and transformation of Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector under Vision 2030,” Al-Duailej said, celebrating the milestone. “The growth and expansion of flynas are truly remarkable.” He described the deal as pivotal for achieving the National Civil Aviation Strategy’s goal to connect the Kingdom with over 250 international destinations and increase passenger traffic to 330 million annually by 2030. Almohanna highlighted the strategic importance of the deal, stating that it reinforces the determination to establish flynas as a leading global low-cost carrier. “By doubling our order volume to 280 Airbus aircraft, we ensure sustainable growth across our network of regional and international routes, spanning short, medium, and long-haul flights,” he said. Notably, this is the carrier’s first order for Airbus' wide-body A330neo, with deliveries starting in 2027, Almohanna noted. He said that the new purchase will enable the carrier to explore new long-haul markets, offer more seat capacity, with diverse and innovative products to the passengers. Almohanna further noted that doubling the volume of flynas’ fleet orders supports the National Civil Aviation Strategy’s objectives, including increasing international connectivity to Saudi Arabia. Additionally, it reinforces the objectives of the Pilgrim Experience Program and the National Tourism Strategy and creates numerous direct and indirect job opportunities. Almohanna underscored flynas’ commitment to medium- and long-term growth, aiming to expand the fleet operation size to over 160 aircraft by 2030 from 61 aircraft currently. The existing fleet consists of 53 A320neo aircraft, four A320ceo aircraft, and four A330ceo aircraft. Meanwhile, Scherer expressed delight to expand Airbus’ partnership with flynas through this significant deal for both A320neo and A330-900 aircraft. “The A330neo will allow flynas to further grow into widebody markets by building on the A320, benefiting from Airbus’ unique commonality,” Scherer emphasized. “Both aircraft types offer flynas the perfect versatility and economics to expand into new markets while offering their passengers the latest cabin experience and comfort. He added that Airbus looks forward to continuing its successful collaboration with flynas as it embarks on an exciting new chapter. Last year at the 2023 Paris Air Show, flynas signed an agreement with Airbus for 30 additional A320neo aircraft as part of fleet expansion from the previous order for 120 aircraft, which was signed in 2016. Currently, flynas operates over 70 domestic and international routes with more than 1,500 weekly flights and has served over 78 million passengers since its launch in 2007.

the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) held a roundtable meeting of the Saudi-British Business Council in London to explore investment and cooperation opportunities in the civil aviation sector. The meeting was chaired by His Excellency Mr. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, President of GACA, and attended by Dr. Rania Leontaridi, Director General of Aviation, Maritime, and Security at the UK Department for Transport, Ms. Jenny Gubbins, Chair of the UK side of the Council, and a delegation of Saudi-British Business Council members, vice presidents, CEOs, officials, and aviation experts.  The meeting discussed ways to strengthen investment ties and boost economic collaboration between Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. It also addressed private sector engagement and strategic investment opportunities across both countries. In his opening remarks, GACA President Mr. Al-Duailej highlighted the National Aviation Strategy and the strong bilateral relationship between the two nations. He noted that total Saudi exports to the UK reached SAR 1.36 billion by Q1 2024, with an annual growth rate of 5.82 percent between 2018 and 2023. He also mentioned that in 2023, passenger traffic between the two countries neared one million, reflecting a 50 percent increase from the previous year.  His Excellency emphasized Saudi Arabia's strategic location linking three continents and its commitment to supporting global aviation through infrastructure development and investment. He highlighted GACA’s efforts to adopt innovations such as Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), smart air traffic management systems, and the integration of AI and digital technologies to improve operations and the passenger experience. The meeting featured a presentation on the National Aviation Strategy, including progress in connecting to 250 destinations, digital transformation, the AAM roadmap, and the Environmental Sustainability Program. The presentation also included an overview of the Saudi airport sector, investment mechanisms, business opportunities, and key enablers and incentives. Saudi Air Navigation Services (SANS) signed a framework agreement with the UK’s NATS to enhance airport capacity. On the sidelines of the meeting, Mr. Al-Duailej met with Dr. Rania Leontaridi to discuss joint cooperation. He also met with Mr. Martin Rolfe, CEO of NATS, and Mr. Mark Burns, CEO of Gulfstream, alongside Saudi aviation sector representatives to review developments in the aviation industry and opportunities for enhancing general aviation in the Kingdom.

The President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, visited on Tuesday the Farnborough International Airshow, accompanied by the vice-presidents and CEOs of companies operating in the civil aviation sector in the Kingdom. The President of GACA and the accompanying delegation toured the exhibition’s pavilions and discovered the aviation industry’s modern technologies, innovations, and solutions, including advanced air mobility, space, and environmental sustainability. GACA signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) with Lilium, the leading German company in the manufacture of electric aircraft and the field of regional air transport, to develop and implement the regulatory framework necessary to introduce vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft into the Kingdom beginning from 2026. During the visit, Al-Duailej met with the CEOs of Embraer, a Boeing company Wisk, and Lilium, where aspects of cooperation in the civil aviation industry were reviewed. The President of GACA attended the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Saudi Academy of Civil Aviation (SACA), Prince Sultan University (PSU) and the British Cranfield University, which aims to develop aviation science research and exchange experiences between specialists.

July 22, 2024 The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) issued its June report on the performance of domestic and international airports in Saudi Arabia. Airports are assessed based on 11 operational performance standards, which align with strategic objectives to enhance services and ensure a seamless traveler experience at Kingdom airports. The report ranked King Khalid International Airport, King Fahd International Airport, Abha International Airport, Al-Ahsa International Airport, and Qurayyat Airport highly. GACA categorizes airports for performance evaluation based on annual passenger numbers, ensuring a transparent approach. King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh secured the top spot in the category of airports with more than 15 million passengers annually, with an 82% compliance rate. Following closely behind was King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah at 64%. In the category of international airports serving 5 to 15 million passengers annually, King Fahd International Airport tied for first place, with a 91% compliance rate. Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport followed with a 82% compliance rate. In the 2 to 5 million annual passenger category, Abha International Airport and King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Airport in Jizan demonstrated a 100% compliance rate. However, Abha International Airport outperformed King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Airport by surpassing higher targets in the specified evaluation criteria. In the category of less than 2 million passengers annually, Al-Ahsa International Airport achieved a 100% compliance rate, outperforming its competitors regarding average waiting time for departing and arriving flights. Qurayyat Airport came first in the domestic airport category, with a 100% compliance rate. It outperformed all competing airports regarding average waiting time for departing and arriving flights. GACA evaluates airport performance through operational performance standards focused on critical passenger touchpoints. These include check-in, security, passport control, customs, baggage claim, and assistance for passengers with reduced mobility (PRM). These metrics ensure a seamless and efficient travel experience for all passengers and are aligned with international best practices.

GACA signed a memorandum of cooperation with the German company Lilium to develop the regulatory framework for advanced air mobility in the Kingdom, as part of efforts to achieve the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 in the aviation industry and enable sustainable transportation.