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The General Authority of Civil Aviation in Riyadh recently hosted a regional seminar on the privatization of airport security services and the single security checkpoint focusing on opportunities and challenges. This event was organized in collaboration with the Arab Civil Aviation Organization the European Civil Aviation Conference and the African Civil Aviation Commission. The seminar ran from February 24 to 26 2025 and gathered over 120 experts and specialists in aviation security. Participants represented 55 countries across the Arab African and European regions alongside key players from the aviation industry and regional organizations. The primary goal of the seminar was to create a space for dialogue and the exchange of experiences between countries on privatizing airport security services and implementing the single security checkpoint concept. The discussions also focused on improving the efficiency of security operations reducing costs and maintaining the highest standards of safety and security. The event featured several panel discussions led by international experts in aviation security. These sessions explored the opportunities and challenges of privatizing aviation security functions and implementing the single security checkpoint. On the first day the seminar highlighted both current and emerging threats to civil aviation security. Topics covered included key aspects of privatizing aviation security challenges after privatization opportunities presented by the single security checkpoint and the importance of ensuring equivalent security measures across regions. The seminar also emphasized the need for building capacity and fostering stronger international and regional cooperation in civil aviation security.

President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej emphasized that Saudi Arabia's national aviation strategy is designed to enhance the sector's capabilities, aligning with global trends to meet the demands of national tourism and economic development.  Speaking at the Aerospace Connect Forum in Jeddah, President Al-Duailej highlighted that the national strategy aims to expand the number of airlines, establish advanced maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) centers, increase aircraft fleet capacity, and strengthen human capital and infrastructure to drive sector growth. These objectives align with Vision 2030, which seeks to position Saudi Arabia as a global aviation hub.  He underscored that to support this vision, GACA has launched key initiatives to develop the aviation manufacturing sector and supply chains. One of the most significant projects is the Maintenance and Repair Village (MRO) in Jeddah, inaugurated in December 2023, covering an area of one million square meters. The facility includes a state-of-the-art jet propulsion center, enhancing Saudi Aerospace Engineering's capabilities in servicing new-generation wide- and narrow-body aircraft engines for regional airlines.  Another major initiative, according to President Al-Duailej, is the establishment of Integrated Special Logistics Zones, introduced in October 2022, which provide competitive incentives, including a 50-year income tax exemption. These zones, launched with Apple as a key investor, also feature a unified center for approving light manufacturing and repair operations, as well as trade distribution companies.  President Al-Duailej stressed the importance of continuing to develop local aviation expertise, noting that GACA’s human capital development strategy estimates that Saudi Arabia's aviation sector will require 274,000 direct jobs by 2030—a 2.6-fold increase from the current 104,000 jobs. He reaffirmed the commitment to building a strong and sustainable aviation industry, ensuring the Kingdom remains at the forefront of global aviation development.

Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), will host the South Central Data Distribution Region (SCDDR) meeting and an accompanying training workshop from Monday to Thursday, February 24–27, in Jeddah. The SCDDR is part of the International Cospas-Sarsat Programme, a satellite-aided search and rescue initiative. The meeting will be chaired by the Spanish center, which oversees the SCDDR, and will include representatives from various mission control centers (MCCs) within the region in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Algeria, Nigeria, and Togo, along with representatives from the Cospas-Sarsat program. This hosting reflects Saudi Arabia’s active role in the aviation sector and in the field of satellite-based search and rescue, as the Kingdom is a key player at local, regional, and international levels. Saudi Arabia was one of the first countries in the region to join the Cospas-Sarsat Programme as a provider of ground segments. During the meeting, participants will discuss reports on the performance efficiency of MCCs operating within the region. Updates on technical, operational, and administrative matters will also be presented, alongside discussions on the program’s future directions in satellite-based search and rescue. Additionally, a report summarizing the meeting’s outcomes, including recommendations, will be prepared for the upcoming session of the program’s joint committee. This report will be reviewed to ensure that its recommendations are recorded and forwarded to the Cospas-Sarsat Council for appropriate action.

The General Authority Of Civil Aviation (GACA) launched its “Ajwaa” integrated digital platform, along with its new corporate identity and updated website.  This initiative reflects the significant transformation in the Saudi aviation sector, vital to Saudi Arabia's economic growth and the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.  GACA unveiled the digital platform Wednesday evening at its Riyadh headquarters. Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of the Board of Directors of GACA, Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, along with GACA President Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, vice presidents, CEOs, officials, and directors from various aviation companies and national carriers, attended the ceremony.  The Ajwaa platform provides all civil aviation services, ensuring quick and efficient access for users. It creates a fully digital environment for stakeholders, improving operational efficiency, transparency, and GACA's regulatory role.  Al-Duailej said the new identity, slogan "Together for New Horizons," Ajwaa platform, and updated website mark a new era for GACA, shaping the future of aviation in Saudi Arabia with the leadership's full support.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) today issued the Air Transport Service Providers and Airports Ranking Index, based on the number of complaints filed by passengers with the Authority during January 2025. The Authority reported that the total number of passenger complaints against air carriers reached 1,486. It clarified that Saudi Airlines recorded the lowest number of complaints, with 26 complaints per 100,000 passengers and a 100% complaint resolution rate within the specified timeframe for January. Flynas ranked second with 32 complaints per 100,000 passengers, also achieving a 100% complaint resolution rate. Flyadeal ranked third, with 37 complaints per 100,000 passengers and a 100% resolution rate, according to the index. The most frequently reported complaint categories in January were related to baggage services, followed by ticketing, and then flight-related issues. The Authority further noted that King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh received the fewest complaints, with a rate of 1% per 100,000 passengers, in the index for international airports with over 6 million annual passengers. It received 20 complaints, all of which were resolved on time (100%). Taif International Airport had the fewest complaints among international airports with fewer than 6 million annual passengers, with 1% per 100,000 passengers, totaling one complaint, which was also resolved within the designated timeframe (100%). In the domestic airports index, King Saud Airport recorded the lowest number of complaints, with a rate of 3% per 100,000 passengers, totaling one complaint, which was resolved on time (100%). GACA explained that the issuance of the monthly report for the Air Transport Service Providers and Airports Ranking Index (based on complaints filed with the Authority) aims to provide travelers with information on the performance of air transport providers and airports in addressing customer complaints. This enables passengers to make informed decisions when selecting a service provider, enhances transparency, and demonstrates the Authority’s commitment to addressing passenger complaints. It also fosters fair competition between service providers and airports to develop and improve services. As part of its support for its airport partners, the General Authority of Civil Aviation has developed a booklet providing guidelines on handling passenger complaints at airports. The booklet has been distributed to airport operators and includes specifications, service-level agreements, and compliance requirements for handling all types of complaints and inquiries. It also includes training for employees of national airlines and ground service companies who interact directly with passengers to ensure adherence to the executive regulations for customer rights protection, facilitated through workshops. Additionally, the Authority has provided multiple communication channels available around the clock to ensure engagement with travelers and airport visitors. These include the unified contact center (1929), WhatsApp service at +966 11 525 3333, social media accounts, email, and the official website, where complaints related to boarding passes, employee conduct, services for persons with disabilities and limited mobility, and more can be submitted.

The air transport movement in Saudi Arabia witnessed exceptional growth in 2024, achieving unprecedented record numbers in passenger traffic, which exceeded 128 million travelers across various airports in the Kingdom. This includes 59 million passengers on domestic flights and 69 million on international flights, marking a growth rate of 15% compared to 2023, and an increase of approximately 25% compared to pre-pandemic levels, demonstrating the recovery of the air transport sector in the Kingdom from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) revealed in its air traffic performance report released today that the number of flights across Saudi airports in 2024 reached approximately 905,000, an 11% increase compared to 2023. This includes 474,000 domestic flights and 431,000 international flights. The scope of air connectivity saw a 16% increase, with Saudi Arabia now linked to over 170 destinations worldwide, with flights departing to and from the Kingdom. Additionally, air cargo witnessed exceptional growth, increasing by 34%, reaching over 1.2 million tons in 2024. Of this, 1.17 million tons were handled by the top three airports, including 573,000 tons at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, 461,000 tons at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, and 140,000 tons at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. The four main airports in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah accounted for 82% of the total air traffic, reflecting their vital role in the Kingdom's aviation network. The region also witnessed a significant increase in air traffic during the last Hajj season (May 9 - July 21), with 1.5 million pilgrims arriving for Hajj, representing 40% of the total number of international passengers during that period. According to the British company OAG, which specializes in flight data, the Jeddah-Riyadh route saw the largest increase in capacity globally among domestic routes in 2024, while the Cairo-Jeddah route became the second busiest international route worldwide. It is worth noting that the General Authority of Civil Aviation is the regulatory body for the air transport sector in Saudi Arabia. It is responsible for setting the sector's executive regulations, overseeing their implementation, and monitoring compliance with relevant authorities. This contributes to enhancing the quality of air transport services and improving the passenger experience. In line with its strategy, GACA is shaping the future of the sector to create a competitive and attractive investment environment, positioning it as a leader in the Middle East and globally, and contributing to the achievement of its objectives to double its capacity by 2030.