Saudi aviation authority to unveil new plans at Future Aviation Forum next week

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) is set to unveil its General Aviation Roadmap during the upcoming Future Aviation Forum 2024 in an effort to bolster the Kingdom’s position in the aviation sector, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Sunday.

The forum, backed by King Salman bin Abdulaziz, will take place from May 20 to 22, promising significant strides in the aviation industry.

Under the theme “Elevating Global Connectivity,” the forum aims to lay the groundwork for substantial growth in the general aviation sector, targeting a tenfold increase in GDP contribution to $2 billion by 2030.

Highlighting the Kingdom’s aspirations to become a premier destination for business and tourism, the Kingdom revised national tourism target announced in October 2023 with a new goal of attracting 150 million visitors by 2030, up from the initial target of 100 million, the statement added.

According to SPA, GACA President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej said the roadmap holds an important role in advancing the aviation sector within the Kingdom, with a focus on infrastructure development, regulatory enhancements, and improved market services.

The announcement comes on the heels of recent measures implemented by GACA to stimulate growth in the general aviation sector. Notable initiatives include the removal of ‘empty-leg’ restrictions, streamlined economic licensing for air transport operations, and relaxed requirements for airport operators and investors.

The Future Aviation Forum is expected to host 5,000 aviation leaders from more than 100 countries to discuss the future of aviation in the Kingdom.