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The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), on Tuesday signed a number of air transport service agreements as part of its efforts to enhance regional and international cooperation in the civil aviation sector.  The signing took place during GACA's participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Facilitation Conference (FALC 2025), held in Doha, Qatar, from April 14 to 17. These agreements involved the Republic of Liberia, Grenada, the State of Samoa, the Republic of Fiji, and the Republic of Ecuador.  The agreements will regulate air transport, enhance civil aviation safety and security standards, and expand travel options.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), led by President His Excellency Mr. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, is participating in ICAO's FALC 2025 conference in Doha, which runs from April 14 to 17. Hosted by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) under the banner 'Facilitating the Future of Air Transport: Collaboration, Efficiency, and Inclusivity,' the event gathers 190 national delegations, including over 120 transport ministers and aviation leaders from across the world. GACA's participation aims to strengthen international cooperation, improve air transport systems, foster innovation, exchange ideas on the future of air transport facilitation, and explore the latest developments in the civil aviation sector. FALC 2025 brings together nations, stakeholders, and aviation experts to explore the latest advancements in air transport facilitation and collaborate on a global strategy that enhances adaptability to rapid changes in civil aviation sector. Discussions at the conference address critical issues aimed at improving air transport facilitation, notably cooperation and coordination between relevant authorities, travel document security, border control, cargo clearance procedures, and automation. Additional dialogue sessions focus on the role of air transport facilitation in driving aviation industry growth and innovative approaches for sustainable development in civil aviation. Alongside the conference, a specialized exhibition showcases the accomplishments of participating countries and entities in the air transport facilitation and highlights equipment and systems improving the passenger experience. The conference will conclude with a ministerial announcement on aviation facilitation, aimed at enhancing air transport services by ensuring reliable and seamless aviation services for all. This announcement also seeks to guide public policy on critical facilitation matters, supporting ICAO’s strategic objectives related to aviation security and facilitation.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) today announced the launch of a public tender to obtain a National Non-Scheduled (Charter) Air Carrier License. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of services provided to passengers, increase competitiveness, and support the Kingdom's National Aviation Sector Strategy's goals, which aims to serve 330 million passengers and reach over 250 international destinations by the year 2030. GACA invites interested parties to apply for the license by sending an official request to (CHRFP@gaca.gov.sa) to obtain the tender document, including applicant details and contact information. Submissions are open from the date of this announcement, with a deadline of Wednesday, May 21, 2025.

General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) President Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) Wednesday in the field of civil aviation between the governments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Kuwait.  The Kuwaiti side was represented by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Head Sheikh Humoud Mubarak Humoud Al-Sabah, in the presence of Saudi Ambassador to Kuwait Prince Sultan bin Saad bin Khaled, on the sidelines of an official visit to the State of Kuwait.  The MoU aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the field of civil aviation. It covers areas of technical, administrative, regulatory, operational, and technological collaboration, in addition to enhancing aviation safety and security.  In the same context, a bilateral meeting was held during the signing ceremony to discuss issues of mutual interest and ways to enhance cooperation in the field of civil aviation.  The visit comes as part of efforts to expand international cooperation and exchange knowledge and expertise in the civil aviation industry, in support of Saudi Vision 2030 to strengthen its position as a global hub for aviation and air transport.

His Excellency Mr. Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, President of General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), today met with Mr. Ng Tee Chiou, Deputy Director General of Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), at GACA’s Riyadh headquarters. The two officials discussed matters of mutual interest and explored potential collaboration in the civil aviation sector.

The Seventh Meeting of the Aerodrome Safety, Planning and Implementation Group (ASPIG/7) kicked off today in Riyadh and will continue until April 10. The event is organized by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Regional Office in Cairo, and with the participation of representatives from the member states of the office, along with representatives from international organizations such as the Airports Council International (ACI), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA).  In his opening remarks, GACA Executive Vice President for Aviation Safety and Environmental Sustainability Captain Sulaiman Almuhaimedi welcomed the participants and expressed his hope that the meeting would result in sharing the best experiences and practices in air navigation and civil aviation safety. He stressed the importance of leveraging expertise and personnel, establishing the highest levels of aviation safety, and raising awareness of the latest developments related to the Air Navigation and Aviation Safety Group.  Almuhaimedi noted that the Kingdom is undergoing a remarkable transformation in the civil aviation sector, which plays a central role in its future vision and is an integral part of the National Aviation Strategy. He said Saudi Arabia's investments go beyond building world-class infrastructure to include systems, personnel, and partnerships that form the foundation of a safe, sustainable, and globally connected aviation sector.  The five-day meeting aims to discuss the technical aspects of airport operations, develop airport safety policies and standards, exchange expertise, analyze challenges, and explore available opportunities. Hosting this event highlights the Kingdom's prominent and active role through GACA in boosting aviation safety standards and ensuring sustainability at the regional and international levels.