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The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), in collaboration with the Digital Saudi Program, today launched ‘AVITHON’, Saudi's first-ever national hackathon in civil aviation—designed to spur digital innovation and develop creative solutions that elevate the passenger experience and enhance overall sector efficiency. AVITHON is in line with GACA’s efforts to advance the Saudi Aviation Strategy and support the goals of Vision 2030, which aims to establish Saudi Arabia as a premier aviation hub for the region and for the world. AVITHON features three core tracks—enhancing the passenger experience, sustainability, and safety and security in civil aviation—and invites students, technicians, entrepreneurs, and all aviation enthusiasts to develop practical, innovative digital solutions for real-world implementation. Eng. Saud Marshoud Alharbi, General Manager of Technology and Digital Transformation at GACA stated that the AVITHON is a flagship initiative aligned with Saudi Arabia’s strategic vision to foster innovation, empower creators, and accelerate the pace of digital transformation in the aviation sector. He added that GACA is committed to providing participants with both technical and logistical support, along with cash prizes totaling SAR 450,000. The first edition of AVITHON will be online, and interested participants can register through the official portal at [https://avithon.gaca.gov.sa] until 17 July 2025. GACA welcomes all aviation enthusiasts to join this national challenge and play a part in shaping the future of civil aviation in Saudi Arabia.

President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), H.E. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, met today at GACA’s Riyadh headquarters with H.E. Emrullah İşler, Ambassador of Turkey to Saudi Arabia, and Mr. Mehmet Akalin, General Manager of Turkish Airlines. The two sides discussed topics of mutual interest and the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in the civil aviation sector.  

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) signed today a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Sport to cooperate in the organization, coordination, and supervision of air sports activities within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  The MoU reflects a shared commitment to develop this promising sector within a structured framework that meets safety requirements and adheres to international standards. The signing ceremony took place at GACA’s headquarters in Riyadh in the presence of H.E. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, President of GACA. The MoU was signed by Captain Sulaiman Almuhaimedi, Executive Vice President for Aviation Safety and Environmental Sustainability at GACA, and by AAbdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Masaad, Deputy Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs at the Ministry of Sport. The MoU outlines mechanisms to regulate air sports activities as per approved standards and regulations. It aims to enhance safety for practitioners, define the roles and responsibilities of GACA and the Ministry of Sport in relation to permits, supervision, and oversight, and support the development of the air sports sector in the wider context of the sports, tourism, and entertainment sectors. It also calls for the implementation of air-safety regulations in line with GACA’s standards; advance coordination between the Ministry and GACA when organizing air sports events or tournaments; and develop awareness and educational programs for practitioners on safety requirements and regulatory procedures. GACA remains committed to advancing air sports activities across the Kingdom within an organized framework that meets international safety benchmarks. The Authority is keen to provide an attractive investment environment and extend all possible support to the civil aviation sector, enabling it to achieve its strategic targets and reinforcing GACA’s role as the official regulator of air transport in Saudi Arabia. This is to be accomplished through strategic partnerships with all relevant entities and enhanced operational efficiency in line with Vision 2030. The MoU underscores the Ministry of Sport’s dedication to advancing the sports sector under the highest standards of governance, expanding the base of practitioners, building a vibrant community, and achieving Saudi Arabia’s regional and global sporting excellence.

His Excellency the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, signed today an air transport services agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of Montenegro. The agreement was signed by Her Excellency Ms. Maja Vukicevic, Minister of Transport of Montenegro, on the sidelines of the Global Forum for the Connectivity of Transport Networks, held in Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye, from June 27 to 29, 2025. The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation in the field of air transport services and to enhance bilateral collaboration based on mutual benefit and respect, in line with the laws and regulations in both countries. It also establishes a regulatory framework to facilitate air traffic between the two nations. This partnership supports the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Civil Aviation Strategy, which seeks to build global partnerships and foster international cooperation in civil aviation, enabling national carriers to expand their operational networks worldwide.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has opened its airspace to ensure the smooth flow of air traffic and flight routes amid the recent escalating tensions in the region, mobilizing all human and material resources and implementing necessary preparations to accommodate the surge in transit flights. More than 1,330 daily flights on average have crossed Saudi airspace, nearly double the pre-crisis levels. The additional flights were managed safely and smoothly through the Kingdom’s skies, backed by advanced technologies and stringent security measures, in full compliance with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). During the period of heightened tensions, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) made efforts to open additional air routes to absorb the increased air traffic. The Kingdom expanded its airspace capacity and reduced flight times using advanced navigational procedures and systems that ensured the safety of Saudi skies and air traffic operations. Saudi airspace has witnessed the passage of more than 220 air carriers during this period, prompting the activation of pre-planned airspace expansion procedures. Stringent airport and airspace security measures were enforced, using advanced air surveillance systems and technical infrastructure. Predefined risk management plans were activated, enabling rapid crisis response and continuity of air navigation with the highest safety standards. Crisis management teams were equipped with advanced technologies to accelerate real-time data analysis and processing, providing operators and stakeholders at local and regional levels with essential information for effective and immediate planning of traffic and flight management. The efforts, combined with preemptive preparations, allowed Saudi Arabia to successfully accommodate the increase in transit flights and reinforce its position as a safe and reliable airspace in the region. The Kingdom’s air navigation system features some of the world’s most advanced monitoring and communication technologies, operating through 20 control towers, two regional area control centers comprising 15 area control sectors, 10 approach control centers, and more than 1,200 navigation devices distributed across the Kingdom. These are supported by over 1,900 specialists, including more than 700 male and female air traffic controllers, working according to the latest advanced methodologies aligned with the Kingdom’s vision to position its aviation sector among the world’s most competitive.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has been awarded the bronze prize in the seventh cycle of the King Abdulaziz Quality Award, under the category of Best Quality Practices in the Government Sector, in recognition of its commitment to the highest quality standards. The award was presented by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region, to Eng. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Aldahmash, Executive Vice President for Quality and Customer Experience, during the official award ceremony held in Riyadh. This achievement reflects GACA’s ongoing commitment to institutional excellence and quality enhancement, as well as the adoption of best practices in service development and performance improvement. The award marks a significant milestone in GACA’s journey toward excellence, underscoring its efforts to embrace top-tier quality standards and contribute to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, particularly in strengthening institutional efficiency and improving user experience. It is worth noting that the King Abdulaziz Quality Award is considered the national benchmark for institutional excellence in the Kingdom. It serves as a key driver for promoting a culture of quality and continuous improvement across sectors, encouraging the application of excellence principles to elevate performance and increase beneficiary satisfaction.