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August 20, 2024 The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has issued the classification index for air transport service providers and airports to inform passengers about their performance and help them make informed choices. The assessment is based on the number of complaints filed with GACA by travellers. According to GACA, 1422 complaints were filed by travellers on Saudi air carriers in July. Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) had the fewest complaints among the airlines, 25 per 100,000 travellers, and a complaint resolution rate of 100%. Flynas came in second, with 27 complaints per 100,000 travellers and a resolution rate of 100%. Flyadeal came in third with 34 complaints per 100,000 travellers and a resolution rate of 99%. The most common complaints in July were about luggage, flights, and tickets. According to the report, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh had a remarkably low complaint rate of 0.4% per 100,000 passengers and a 100% complaint resolution rate, despite serving over 6 million annual passengers. With less than 6 million annual passengers, Hail International Airport had a complaint rate of 1% per 100,000 passengers and a 100% complaint resolution rate. Bisha Airport had the lowest complaints among domestic airports, with a complaint rate of 3% per 100,000 passengers and a 100% complaint resolution rate. These low complaint rates testify to the high quality of service these airports provide. GACA reiterated that the monthly classification report aims to help passengers make informed choices, promote transparency, demonstrate its credibility and keenness to deal with travellers' complaints, stimulate fair competition, and develop and improve services. According to the authority, multiple communication channels are kept open around the clock to enable interaction with travellers and airport visitors. They are: Call Center number 1929, WhatsApp service at 0115253333, email: gaca-info@gaca.gov.sa, social media accounts, and GACA's website. Through these channels, the authority receives complaints concerning boarding passes, employee behavior, and services for persons with disabilities and limited mobility. In support of its partnering airports, GACA prepared a booklet containing guidelines on handling traveller complaints. The booklet, which was circulated among airport operators, sets out service agreements and the rules for all types of complaints and inquiries. The authority also trains, through regularly held workshops, employees of national airlines and ground service companies that deal directly with travellers on how to comply with passenger protection regulations.

This news article is available only in the Arabic version.

This news article is available only in the Arabic version.

July 29, 2024 The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) concluded its participation in the Africa-Indian Ocean Aviation Week (AFI Week 2024) conference, hosted by Gabon’s capital city of Libreville. AFI Week 2024 aimed to continue developing strategies and measures necessary to support and enhance the aviation industry on the continent. GACA, represented by Executive Vice President of Air Transport and International Cooperation Ali bin Mohammed Rajab, announced during his speech at the opening ceremony that the Kingdom has allocated $150,000 to the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Comprehensive Regional Implementation Plan for Aviation Safety in Africa (AFI Plan) and the Comprehensive Regional Implementation Plan for Aviation Security and Facilitation in Africa (AFI SECFAL Plan). Rajab noted that the initiative aims to enhance security and safety levels in air transport. The amount, he said, is part of the $1 million donation made by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the ICAO's No Country Left Behind (NCLB) initiative. He also indicated that the Kingdom is one of the largest supporters of international organizations and a pioneer in supporting the aviation industry. Moreover, he stressed that the Kingdom is continuously committed to contributing to the growth of this industry, aiming to enhance its performance. On the sidelines of AFI Week 2024, Gabon Vice President Joseph Berre received the Saudi ambassador to Gabon, Faraj bin Nader, and GACA's Rajab in Libreville. During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations, areas of cooperation, and ways to enhance and develop them in the field of civil aviation between the two countries. In a separate meeting, Rajab met with African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) Secretary-General Adefunke Adeyemi, discussing ways to enhance cooperation between the Kingdom and AFCAC in various fields of civil aviation.

July 29, 2024 The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) authorized Air Samarkand to commence flights for passengers from Uzbekistan to Saudi Arabia during the summer season of 2024. The Uzbek airline will operate two weekly flights from Samarkand to Jeddah in a step that aligns with GACA’s ongoing efforts to enhance air connectivity between the Kingdom and the world. Such efforts are part of the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to establish the Kingdom as a global logistical hub and open new horizons for travel, in line with the goals of the Saudi Aviation Strategy.

July 27, 2024 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