The launch of the "Civil Aviation Conference 2019" in Riyadh

Riyadh, April 1, 2019

Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), organized the Global Aviation Summit 2019, which kicked off today and will last for the duration of two days in the presence of more than 15 transport ministers and with the participation of more than 140 head civil aviation authorities, organizations and executives of the biggest aviation companies from around the globe.  The summit is being held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Riyadh.

His Excellency, the transport minister and chairman of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Dr. Nabil Al Amudi, in his opening statement, and on behalf of the Custodian Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, where he welcomed the esteem attendees in advance,  and also thanked them for attending the summit.  He went on to say that the Kingdom is proud and honored to host and organized the summit in cooperation of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Dr. Al Amudi Pointed out that the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which includes its ambitions aimed at achieving a comprehensive development and by providing factors of sustainability and diversification of the Saudi economy.  It is worth noting that statistics published by the Air Transport Association (IATA) in 2014 showed the contribution of the civil aviation sector in the Kingdom for about 126 billion dollars annually of the national output within the direct and indirect revenues, as well as the provision of 527,000 jobs in this sector.  All this contribution amount to 4.6% GDP.

His Excellency went on to say, about the steps taken toward improving performance and responding to the requirement to the current and future phase.  Saying, that we are contributing today to the National Industry Development Logistic Program (NDLP) for development and expansion initiatives in the air transport industry.   Adding that we look forward to reach the 25^th ranking produced by the World Bank.  We also look to increase air cargo capacity to 5.2 million tons, this is through building and expansion of airports, expansion of three air cargo stations, the improvement of airport infrastructure, the creation of new job opportunities in the promotion of air transport safety and environmental sustainability.  This in addition to raising the participation of the private sector and enhance the Kingdom export capacity and to realize the ambitions and objectives of the program for the Kingdom to become the largest international logistic center.

His Excellency went to praise the importance of the role of the women in society and their participation in the development programs and in their belief in its vital and effective role.  GACA has enabled women to work in many financial, administrative and engineering disciplines.  In addition to air traffic control, aviation safety and security.  One of the summit session was dedicated to this, and the job opportunities available, a few of the women in aviation will telling their story and their career in aviation.

For his part, the president of the ICAO, Mr. Bernard expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for his patronage of the aviation summit and for Saudi Arabia  sponsorship and hosting Air Safety Organization  the Middle East and North Africa, and for providing the financial and technical support, indicating that the cooperation will continue to contribute to assisting member states to achieve their objectives in light the safety of global aviation and the global air navigational plan.

He went on to explain that the global statistics for travelers indicate a continuous growth with the number of passengers reaching 4.1 billion traveling on 38 million flights in 2018, adding that these figure will increase in the next fifteen years in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.

Furthermore, according to the president of the ICAO, the civil aviation sector continues to be a target for terrorism and the methods used is this area has increased, including hijackers, hidden explosives and other traditional methods.  He went on to underscore ICAO gratitude to Saudi Arabia for helping us establish a solid base of support in the security initiatives.

The president of the ICAO went on to say that the Riyadh Declartion on 2016 is a solid supporter of the first meeting of the Middle Eastern Group for Securities and Facilities which was held in Kuwait last September.  He praised the generous support of Saudi Arabia in hosting the new offices of the Aviation Security Program in the Middle East.

Shortly after, a presentation was made to review the Executive Regulations of GACA GACAR (151-68) concerning licensing and ground service providers and operator of in the Kingdom’s airports, where 16 licenses were issued at airports around the Kingdom.

This was followed by Mr. Yasser Al Maayouf, assistant to GACA President for Aviation Standards, handed over operational licenses to five companies.  Those companies are: Saudi Air Navigation Services Company, Saudi Airlines Shipping Company, Saudi Air Cargo Company, Saudi Ground Service Company and Ibsco Petroleum Company.

This followed by signing 3 service agreements, one signed by the Kingdom and the Republic of Cyprus, the agreement was signed by the Transport Minister, Chairman of GACA, Dr. Nabil Al Amudi and the Republic of Cyprus by the Minister of Transport and Communication and Public Work, Mr. Anastasiado.  Also an air service agreement with the Republic of Chad and finally an air service agreement between the Kingdom and Georgia.

The Saudi Minister of Transport, chairman of GACA Dr. Al Amudi signed a memorandum of agreement between the Kingdom and Argentine in preparation of entering an air services agreement.

Following all of that, His Excellency, Dr. Al Amudi inaugurated the exhibition, which includes pavilion by airline companies and air transport services, followed by the scheduled sessions.