29 November 2024

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) showcased its initiatives, programs, and achievements in enabling advanced air mobility during its participation in the Advanced Air Mobility Conference held from November 26 to 27 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Representing GACA, the Advisor to the Deputy CEO for Strategy and Business Intelligence, Mr. Khalid Al-Harthi, outlined the Authority’s efforts to align with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. This includes the launch of a comprehensive roadmap for advanced air mobility, which has accelerated the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, facilitated the establishment of a new generation of vertical airports, and supported the development of infrastructure for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft – key elements of advanced air mobility.

A visual presentation highlighted several successful initiatives across the Kingdom, such as the first successful VTOL flight test in the Neom region in June 2023 and the deployment of air taxi services during the Hajj season the same year.

Mr. Al-Harthi emphasized the significance of international cooperation between civil aviation authorities to establish a unified regulatory framework that fosters the growth of the advanced aviation sector. He also stressed the Kingdom's commitment to promoting public-private sector partnerships and attracting leading advanced aircraft manufacturers to the Saudi market.

As part of the conference agenda, GACA, represented by the Director General of Airworthiness, Mr. Matar Al-Zahrani, engaged in several technical meetings with Brazilian aviation officials. These discussions addressed key topics, including technical approvals for aircraft designs used in advanced air mobility operations, the exchange of expertise on best practices, and solutions to empower local industries to manufacture such aircraft in the Kingdom. The meetings also focused on ensuring compliance with international safety standards and exploring technical solutions to support the initial operations of advanced air mobility systems.