The head of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in Saudi Arabia, Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, recently revealed a significant uptick in the country’s air travel sector. A 20% boost in passenger numbers this year continues the momentum from last year’s 26% leap, positioning the total at an impressive 111 million travelers. The Kingdom’s ambitious program to enhance aviation connectivity is a key driver of this growth, which saw a 48% increase in 2023, adding 148 new global destinations. Additionally, the rise of low-cost carriers has reshaped the international market share post-pandemic.
Speaking at the Future Aviation Forum 2024, Al-Duailej took pride in introducing GACA’s inaugural aviation report. We are proud to launch GACA’s first aviation report, which highlights the sector’s achievements and contributions to the Saudi economy,
he affirmed. The forum’s array of topics promises to spur further expansion and partnership in the industry, setting the stage for a secure and eco-friendly evolution of the advanced air transport sector. He also stressed the historic evolution of the aviation industry, with flight numbers escalating from none to over 37 million in the previous year.
Al-Duailej detailed strategic objectives for the aviation industry, including the addition of over 250 destinations, a boost in cargo capacity to 4.5 million tons per year, and the ambitious goal of increasing passenger traffic to 330 million. The GACA president underscored the implementation of economic reforms aimed at fostering an appealing investment climate, thereby unlocking considerable economic value. Moreover, he indicated that the National Aviation Strategy is deeply interwoven with other national strategies.