Saudi Arabia, through the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), made a significant impact at the recent Wings India 2024 exhibition conference. The event, held at Hyderabad’s Begumpet Airport from January 18 to 21, 2024, was a collaborative effort between India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
The Saudi delegation, led by GACA President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, showcased the essential role of aviation in the Kingdom’s economic framework and the lucrative investment openings it presents. The delegation’s discourse was informed by the Saudi Aviation Strategy, which aims to catapult the Kingdom to the forefront of the Middle Eastern aviation market. The strategy outlines ambitious targets, including increasing passenger throughput to 330 million annually, expanding to over 250 global destinations, and boosting cargo capacity to 5.4 million tons.
In a ministerial session on the conference sidelines, Al-Duailej engaged with global civil aviation leaders, delving into Saudi Arabia’s national aviation strategy and its contribution to economic growth. The session also highlighted investment prospects within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030, which envisions the Kingdom as a pivotal aviation and logistics hub bridging three continents. The strategy sets the goal to attract $100 billion in investments and pledges to offer a top-tier travel experience to 330 million passengers per annum by 2030, with a mere 10% expected to be transit passengers, emphasizing a commitment to sustainable and integrated expansion.
The conference also enabled fruitful bilateral discussions. Notably, the President of GACA met with Indian Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel, Jyotiraditya Scindia, and Swedish Minister of Infrastructure, Johan Davidsson, to discuss civil aviation cooperation. A pivotal consultation with Cambodia’s Minister of Civil Aviation, Mao Havanal, led to the signing of a consultation record to explore direct flight operations, underscoring the Saudi Civil Aviation Strategy’s reach.
Further enriching the conference, Eng Imtiaz Muhammad Manzari, Director General of General Aviation, took part in a dialogue about the helicopter industry’s future. He underscored the importance of helicopters in diversifying transportation and advocated for the adoption of modern technologies and infrastructure to ensure their safe operation.
GACA’s involvement in Wings India 2024 sought to fortify international ties, cultivate an investor-friendly climate, and spotlight new opportunities within the Saudi aviation landscape. The event also served as a platform for discussing industry trends and innovations, especially in air mobility, sustainability, and advanced technologies.
The Wings India 2024 exhibition drew over 5,000 industry participants, including various civil aviation authorities, airlines, and related companies, along with countless business professionals interested in aviation. With around 100,000 visitors, the event stands as a prominent aviation exhibition and conference in Asia.