GACA celebrates The International Day of the Air Traffic Controller

October 20, 2019

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) celebrated the International Day of the Air Traffic Controller. GACA participated in the celebration of this day, which falls on October 20 of each year in various air control centers and units in the Kingdom. Sensing the importance of this global event and the participation of the countries around the world celebrating this profession and publicizing it and the role of air traffic control in the preservation and safety of the skies.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is proud of the capabilities and skills of its air traffic controllers, where the rate of nationalization of the air traffic controllers in the Kingdom have reached 100%.  Moreover, despite the steady growth in air traffic in the Kingdom's airports and airspace year after year, GACA and in cooperation with the Air Navigation Services Company aims to develop the work system, raise the operational efficiency and achieve the quality of services provided in the field of air navigation.

The formation of air traffic control in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia began in 1945, with the establishment of the first official airport in Jeddah. Back then, the service provided was a Flight information center (FIC), and the civil aviation sector has received significant and continuous support from the rulers of this country since the reign of King Abdulaziz (may God bless his soul), and till the present time. The wise leadership fully cognizant of the importance of the air transport industry.  An industry that both important and essential for the requirements of the renaissance in a country of more than two million square kilometers.  The Kingdom has since sent students on scholarship to study air traffic and the first batch were sent to Cairo, Egypt in 1950.  Thereafter, in 1962, the Air Navigation Technical Training Institute was established in Jeddah. In 2014, the Air Traffic Administration moved the coverage of the entire control of the Kingdom’s airspace to Saudi air traffic controllers. In 2018, the Kingdom reached 100% Saudization percentage in the field of air traffic control.  The year 2019 rang in a new milestone with the appointment of the first batch of female Saudi air traffic controllers, in the firm belief of the role of Saudi women and their participation in the civil aviation sector and to push the growth wheel forward in the future horizons of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

Air traffic control consists of three main functions (approach control, air traffic control tower, and area control). Approach control is responsible for air traffic management within 60 miles and at a height of approximately 15,000 feet around the airport for outbound and inbound flights. Air traffic control tower covers an area around the airport, take-offs, landings, and ground traffic.  While, air traffic management at higher altitudes and handling high speeds falls under the responsibility of area control.

High concentration and quick speed of intuitive decision-making in a matter of minutes are of the most important skills of the air traffic controller. It highlights the importance of this profession in the extent and its impact on the safety, efficiency and regularity of air navigation.  Moreover, the responsibilities and tasks assigned, do not bear any room for mistakes. The profession of air traffic controller was categorized as the most difficult profession worldwide, which makes it a very vital job.  Allocating an international day to celebrate this profession and its heroes who work day and night around the clock with their eyes glued to the skies for the safety of life and property.  The international recognition and due respect of air traffic controllers is certainly deserved. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is blessed with the presence of gifted young men and women who have many skills and high concentration and speed of decision-making in dealing quickly with the most difficult situations and in the bleakest weather conditions.

It is worth mentioning that the civil aviation system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia enjoys a generous support from the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, (may God protect them both). GACA is keen to achieve a safe environment in accordance with the strictest of international safety.  The number of air traffic controllers in the Kingdom reached more than 700 Saudi air traffic controllers, this includes (11) Saudi female air traffic controllers who were educated and trained in the Saudi Civil Aviation Academy, one of the most premier specialized academies in this field and received many international accreditations.