Saudi-British Roundtable Examines Strategic Partnerships In Civil Aviation Sector

A delegation from Saudi Arabia's civil aviation sector, led by Eng. Mohammed Alkhuraisi, Executive Vice President for Strategy and Business Intelligence at the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), participated in a Saudi-British roundtable meeting in the UK. The gathering included major British companies in civil aviation, CEOs, officials, and experts from various aviation sectors.

The discussions primarily focused on strengthening strategic relations and economic growth opportunities aligned with Saudi Vision 2030. The meeting also highlighted achievements within Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector and facilitated the exchange of expertise and perspectives. Investment opportunities with the private sector were also explored during the event.

Eng. Alkhuraisi emphasized the strong strategic ties between Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, which have significantly contributed to economic growth and cultural exchange. He noted that both nations agreed last December to increase bilateral trade volume to $37.5 billion by 2030, highlighting the importance of commercial relations for mutual economic benefits.

He further mentioned that over 1,000 British companies currently hold investment licenses in Saudi Arabia. Among these, 55 companies have obtained licenses for regional headquarters, including notable names like BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce. This underscores the successful trade and investment partnership between the two countries.

Alkhuraisi pointed out that Saudi Arabia has made substantial investments in its aviation infrastructure. These include establishing Riyadh Air as a new national carrier and launching King Salman International Airport's master plan in Riyadh. Such initiatives aim to meet the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Aviation Strategy.

The strategy seeks to increase passenger numbers to 330 million annually, expand air connectivity to over 250 destinations worldwide, and enhance air cargo capacity to 4.5 million tons per year. Alkhuraisi invited UK investors and industry representatives to collaborate on these projects, encouraging them to explore new opportunities for global aviation industry advancement.

Collaborations with British Entities

The delegation also engaged in several meetings with representatives from key British entities such as the British Aviation Group, UK National Air Traffic Services (NATS), and the UK Civil Aviation Authority. Discussions centered around investment opportunities in civil aviation and airport development.

These meetings were attended by government representatives from the British embassy in Saudi Arabia, further emphasizing the collaborative efforts between both nations in enhancing their civil aviation sectors.

Alkhuraisi highlighted that Saudi Arabia views the UK as its primary European market within civil aviation. The number of travelers between both countries more than doubled in 2024 compared to 2022, reaching 1.338 million passengers.

This growth reflects the robust relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom within this sector. It also showcases their commitment to fostering economic ties through strategic partnerships and investments.

With inputs from SPA