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President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) Abdulaziz Al-Duailej affirmed that the Saudi Aviation Strategy focuses on shaping the future through collaboration, innovation, and alignment, aiming to drive growth, boost competitiveness, and ensure enhanced services for passengers, while accelerating the aviation sector’s expansion across the region.

 He made these remarks during his participation in the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Aviation Day Middle East and North Africa (IATA Aviation Day MENA 2025), held for the first time in Saudi Arabia.

 Hosted by Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, in Jeddah from May 6 to 7, the event gathers leading aviation executives and experts from around the world to discuss key opportunities and developments shaping the future of the air transport sector.

 In his opening address, Al-Duailej thanked IATA and Saudia for organizing this important event, emphasizing that such gatherings serve as a platform to enhance cooperation and accelerate aviation development across the region.

 He highlighted the pivotal role of Saudi Vision 2030 in shaping the future of aviation not only within the Kingdom but also regionally and globally. He expressed eagerness to engage with industry partners to exchange insights, explore emerging prospects, and strengthen the Kingdom’s standing as a global hub connecting East and West.

 Al-Duailej noted that the MENA region is a vital player and a strategic hub for the future of global aviation, with a $9.48 trillion economy supported by a predominantly young population—fueling tourism, trade, and innovation, while fostering growth through strategic investment and international collaboration.

 He added that in 2024, passenger traffic in the Middle East exceeded pre-pandemic levels by 9%, more than double the global growth rate, while Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation sector recorded a notable increase of over 24% compared to pre-pandemic figures.

 He reviewed the Kingdom's aviation sector strategy and its key milestones, notably the order of more than 500 aircraft by Saudi carriers, significantly expanding regional capacity and competitiveness.

 Al-Duailej also highlighted the launch of the Integrated Logistics Zone in Riyadh in October 2022, with Apple as a key tenant—underscoring the Kingdom's role as a global logistics and commercial hub—and pointed to the continued operation and development of airports across the country.