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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.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) is participating in the Saudi House initiative during the World Economic Forum annual meeting 2025, which will be held from January 20 to 24 in Davos, Switzerland. The event is organized by the Ministry of Economy and Planning with participation from various government entities. GACA will showcase the future of aviation through investment opportunities and incentives offered by the sector in Saudi Arabia, public-private partnerships for airport development, and the enhancement of aviation's position as a key driver supporting Saudi Vision 2030. The showcase will highlight the achievements of the aviation sector strategy and its global transformation. The authority will also introduce exceptional investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia launched through the aviation sector strategy, which aims to establish the Kingdom's aviation sector as an economic growth enabler, including the aviation status report. Mohammed bin Fahad Alkhuraisi, Vice President of Strategy & Business Intelligence at GACA, stated that during the Saudi House events, the authority will focus on investment opportunities in projects and incentives offered by the civil aviation sector in Saudi Arabia, aiming to attract investments exceeding $100 billion. These investments include airports, airlines, ground services, cargo, and logistics. Breaking down these investments: airports will receive more than $50 billion; new aircraft purchase orders amount to approximately $40 billion. The remaining $10 billion Is allocated for other projects, including $5 billion for establishing special logistics zones around the three main airports in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. "The Kingdom offers unprecedented global investment opportunities in the civil aviation sector, with the Saudi National Aviation Strategy aiming to double passenger numbers, connect the Kingdom to more than 250 destinations, accommodate 330 million passengers, and reach an air cargo volume of 4.5 million tons," Al-Khuraisi said. The Saudi House initiative, organized by the Ministry of Economy and Planning with participation from various government entities, will host several dialogue sessions to discuss the latest significant trends in social and economic transformation both locally and internationally. The Saudi House pavilion reflects the Kingdom's growing role and effective influence in the international arena, serving as a platform connecting entrepreneurs, change-makers, and innovators to present strategic visions on vital fields shaping our world's future.

A high-level Saudi-US Advanced Air Mobility Roundtable has discussed ways to enhance economic ties in the air mobility sector, explore partnership opportunities, and exchange expertise in the air mobility industry and relevant services. The meeting also highlighted the sector’s strategic programs and initiatives aimed at advancing air mobility in line with the highest global standards and the Saudi Vision 2030. Held in Riyadh, the meeting brought together executive officials from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), 12 US companies specializing in advanced air mobility operating in Saudi Arabia, and representatives from government entities and the private sector. Participants included the Ministry of Investment, the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, the Human Resources Development Fund, Advanced Electronics Company, Matarat Holding, and NEOM. The roundtable reviewed integrated logistics zones, the roadmap for advanced air mobility, and several successful trials conducted at multiple locations in the Kingdom. These include Saudi Arabia’s first successful vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) flight in NEOM in June 2023 and the successful air taxi trial during the Hajj season of 1445 AH. Moreover, the discussion covered GACA’s role in developing the civil aviation industry, investment opportunities in the sector, and key strategic programs such as the aviation sector’s objectives under the Saudi Vision 2030, the transformation program, infrastructure improvements, airport services enhancement, and the expansion of the airport network, leveraging the Kingdom’s unique geographic location connecting three continents. The meeting also highlighted civil aviation sector initiatives in Saudi Arabia, available investment and collaboration opportunities, the localization of advanced air mobility manufacturing, and the development of human capital in the sector.