Future Aviation Forum Starts In Riyadh; Saudia Announces Purchase Of 105 Airbus Planes

The Future Aviation Forum commenced today in Riyadh under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser inaugurated the three-day event. Organized by GACA, the forum gathers over 30 government ministers, 77 heads of civil aviation authorities, and international air carriers.

More than 5,000 aviation industry experts and leaders from over 120 countries are participating. In his opening address, Al-Jasser highlighted Saudi Arabia’s "major and unprecedented renaissance" in various sectors, driven by its wise leadership. He emphasized the "promising opportunities" for both domestic and international investors in the Kingdom's aviation and air transport industries.

"This forum, in its third edition, embodies the Kingdom's commitment to supporting the global aviation industry," Al-Jasser said. He stressed that the activities, agreements, and deals at the forum will be instrumental in "strengthening efforts to meet new challenges" in the aviation sector. The event will focus on sustainability, innovation and technology, expanding business opportunities, and investing in human capital.

Al-Jasser highlighted a string of achievements in the Kingdom's civil aviation sector over the past two years. These align with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS) and reflect Saudi Arabia's significant leap in global recognition. The country climbed to 13th place in the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Air Connectivity Index.

The number of passengers also saw a notable surge. In 2023, the sector counted a record-breaking 111 million passengers, a 26% increase compared to 2022, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. The government announced new economic policies specifically designed for the civil aviation sector, encompassing regulations for airports, ground services, air freight, and air transport services.

Al-Jasser also pointed to the establishment of Riyadh Air, which aims to connect Riyadh with over 100 international destinations. Additionally, he mentioned the master plan for King Salman International Airport in Riyadh, which will increase its capacity to accommodate 100 million passengers by 2030.

President of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council Salvatore Sciacchitano highlighted the significant role of the aviation sector in supporting economic growth and achieving sustainable development. Sciacchitano praised Saudi Arabia for hosting the third edition of the Future Aviation Forum.

He stated that Saudi Arabia is sending a clear message to the international aviation community that it genuinely focuses on enhancing global connectivity. This theme will be central to discussions over the coming days, along with setting aviation policies that foster cooperation and partnerships, develop skills and capabilities, commit to sustainability, and leverage technologies.

GACA President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej reviewed significant challenges and transformations in the sector globally during the event’s first session. He highlighted achievements and growth in passenger numbers, flights, and air cargo within Saudi Arabia's civil aviation sector. He also emphasized the role of aviation strategy in supporting sustainable growth.

The first day witnessed Saudia announcing the largest aircraft purchase deal globally. The airline bought 105 aircraft from Airbus, specifically A320neo and A321neo models, to expand and modernize its fleet while enhancing air connectivity worldwide. The forum will showcase investment opportunities worth approximately $100 billion in Saudi Arabia's aviation sector.

It is expected to witness more than 70 agreements and deals worth around $12 billion. Several agreements with major global companies will be announced during the event. The Future Aviation Forum will feature an exhibition over three days with 120 speakers sharing their expertise on prominent issues facing the global aviation sector today.

Key Issues Addressed

The key issues include growth and investment, airports and air connectivity, supply chain management and resilience, air cargo and logistics, air traffic management, technology advancements, digital transformation, safety measures, human capital development, and sustainability initiatives.

Several events will accompany this week’s forum as it continues to highlight Saudi Arabia's commitment to advancing its aviation sector while fostering international collaboration.

With inputs from SPA