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The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), in collaboration with the Digital Saudi Program, today launched ‘AVITHON’, Saudi's first-ever national hackathon in civil aviation—designed to spur digital innovation and develop creative solutions that elevate the passenger experience and enhance overall sector efficiency. AVITHON is in line with GACA’s efforts to advance the Saudi Aviation Strategy and support the goals of Vision 2030, which aims to establish Saudi Arabia as a premier aviation hub for the region and for the world. AVITHON features three core tracks—enhancing the passenger experience, sustainability, and safety and security in civil aviation—and invites students, technicians, entrepreneurs, and all aviation enthusiasts to develop practical, innovative digital solutions for real-world implementation. Eng. Saud Marshoud Alharbi, General Manager of Technology and Digital Transformation at GACA stated that the AVITHON is a flagship initiative aligned with Saudi Arabia’s strategic vision to foster innovation, empower creators, and accelerate the pace of digital transformation in the aviation sector. He added that GACA is committed to providing participants with both technical and logistical support, along with cash prizes totaling SAR 450,000. The first edition of AVITHON will be online, and interested participants can register through the official portal at [https://avithon.gaca.gov.sa] until 17 July 2025. GACA welcomes all aviation enthusiasts to join this national challenge and play a part in shaping the future of civil aviation in Saudi Arabia.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has been awarded the bronze prize in the seventh cycle of the King Abdulaziz Quality Award, under the category of Best Quality Practices in the Government Sector, in recognition of its commitment to the highest quality standards. The award was presented by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region, to Eng. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Aldahmash, Executive Vice President for Quality and Customer Experience, during the official award ceremony held in Riyadh. This achievement reflects GACA’s ongoing commitment to institutional excellence and quality enhancement, as well as the adoption of best practices in service development and performance improvement. The award marks a significant milestone in GACA’s journey toward excellence, underscoring its efforts to embrace top-tier quality standards and contribute to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, particularly in strengthening institutional efficiency and improving user experience. It is worth noting that the King Abdulaziz Quality Award is considered the national benchmark for institutional excellence in the Kingdom. It serves as a key driver for promoting a culture of quality and continuous improvement across sectors, encouraging the application of excellence principles to elevate performance and increase beneficiary satisfaction.

President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej signed on Monday in the British capital the "One-Stop Security" agreement with the Government of the United Kingdom, represented by Director General for Aviation, Maritime and Security Group in the Department for Transport (DfT) Rannia Leontaridi.  The agreement allows security screening procedures conducted at UK airports to be recognized for passengers traveling to airports in Saudi Arabia and continuing to other destinations worldwide.  The agreement marks a strategic step that reinforces the Kingdom's position as a global aviation hub. It enhances the passenger experience by reducing transit time and eliminating redundant procedures, while maintaining the highest standards of security and safety. It also supports the objectives of the National Aviation Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030 to strengthen air connectivity and facilitate international travel.  Under the agreement, passenger and baggage screening conducted at UK airports will be recognized upon arrival in Saudi Arabia, eliminating the need for re-screening or baggage unloading. This streamlines connecting flight procedures, reduces passenger wait times, improves traveler satisfaction and airport operational efficiency, and optimizes airline scheduling by minimizing ground time.  The agreement further enhances security and technical cooperation through the exchange of best practices and data on risk management and threat assessment. This initiative is part of GACA's broader efforts to elevate the passenger experience and transform Saudi airports into globally competitive hubs through the adoption of advanced technologies and digital solutions. It reflects both countries' commitment to ensuring the highest standards of aviation security and safety while promoting international travel and trade.  

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) today issued its monthly report on the punctuality performance of airports and national carriers for May 2025, based on flights departing or arriving within 15 minutes of their scheduled time, to provide travelers with a clear overview of adherence to flight schedules and to support efforts to enhance service quality and improve the overall passenger experience.  According to the report, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, AlUla International Airport, and Turaif Airport ranked among the top-performing airports in May.  Airports were categorized into five groups. In the first category, which includes international airports with over 15 million passengers annually, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah ranked first with an on-time performance rate of 89%. In the second category, for airports handling 5 to 15 million passengers annually, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam topped the list with 88%.  In the third category, which includes airports handling 2 to 5 million passengers annually, Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk ranked first with 91%. AlUla International Airport led the fourth category, for airports with fewer than 2 million passengers, with a 96% on-time performance rate, while Turaif Airport topped the fifth category for domestic airports with a 97% on-time performance rate.  At the airline level, Saudia recorded a 90% on-time rate for both arrivals and departures; flynas achieved 89% for arrivals and 91% for departures; and flyadeal recorded 90% for arrivals and 92% for departures.  The report also highlighted key domestic and international routes. Domestically, the Jizan–Jeddah and Jeddah–Abha routes achieved a punctuality rate of 95%. Internationally, the Jeddah–Abu Dhabi route ranked first with a 97% on-time performance rate.  These efforts align with the objectives of the National Aviation Strategy, which seeks to position the Kingdom as a leading regional aviation hub by enhancing operational standards, improving efficiency, and raising the quality of services provided to travelers.

  The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) issued on Sunday its monthly performance report for May 2025 on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s international and domestic airports. The report assesses airport performance based on 11 operational standards aligned with strategic objectives aimed at improving services, enhancing quality, and ensuring a seamless traveler experience.  King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Abha International Airport, Arar Airport, and Qurayyat Airport ranked highly in the report. GACA categorizes airports for performance evaluation based on annual passenger volumes, ensuring a transparent approach.  Among international airports with more than 15 million passengers annually, King Khalid International Airport ranked first with an 82% compliance rate, outperforming King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, which also recorded 82% but scored lower in key performance criteria.  In the category of international airports serving 5 to 15 million passengers annually, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam ranked first with a 91% compliance rate, while Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah came second with 82%.  Among airports with 2 to 5 million annual passengers, Abha International Airport achieved a 100% compliance rate, leading in metrics related to average waiting time for departing and arriving flights.  In the category of airports with fewer than 2 million annual passengers, Arar Airport also achieved a 100% compliance rate, outperforming peers in average waiting time. Qurayyat Airport ranked first among domestic airports, achieving a 100% compliance rate and leading in efficiency for departing and arriving flight procedures.  GACA evaluates airport performance based on key passenger service areas to ensure a smooth and efficient travel experience aligned with international standards.

 A delegation from the Saudi civil aviation system, led by General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) President Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, visited the Airbus Factory in Toulouse, France, one of the world’s largest aircraft manufacturing hubs.  The visit aimed to strengthen cooperation with the French side in areas such as manufacturing, technology transfer, and localization of the aerospace industry. It aligns with the Kingdom’s objectives to become a global industrial and logistics hub in the aviation sector. This came as part of the 55th Paris Air Show at Le Bourget, taking place from June 16 to 22.  The delegation toured the factory’s facilities and departments, gaining insight into the integrated production system used in aircraft design and assembly. They also viewed advanced aircraft manufacturing technologies, along with the latest innovations and advancements in the aviation industry. They were briefed on Airbus’s smart production systems, including automation, digitization, and the integration of artificial intelligence and augmented reality into production lines, positioning Airbus as a model of manufacturing efficiency and performance quality.  During the visit, discussions were held on mutual investment opportunities in aircraft design and assembly, as well as the enablers and incentives Saudi Arabia offers to attract high-quality investments in the aviation industry. The delegation explored avenues for enhanced cooperation, including experience exchange in air traffic management, infrastructure development, and achieving the highest standards of air safety and security.  The visit, led by Al-Duailej, represents a strategic message underscoring the Kingdom’s commitment to forging industrial partnerships with leading global aviation firms and to staying abreast of cutting-edge smart manufacturing and innovation. It also reinforces Saudi Arabia’s efforts to transfer technology and localize the aerospace industry, in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030. The visit further reflects the Kingdom’s dedication to expanding areas of cooperation and investment with France and to solidifying its role as a trusted partner in global aviation supply chains.  The visit falls within the broader context of enhancing collaboration and knowledge exchange in the aviation manufacturing sector, utilizing advanced technologies to elevate safety and efficiency standards in civil aviation, exploring the latest advancements in manufacturing lines, safety, and environmental practices, and identifying opportunities for joint innovation and investment.