Latest news with #MohammedAl-Khuraisi
Leaders
04-02-2025
- Business
- Leaders
GACA Opens Doors for Foreign Charter Operators in Saudi Arabia
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has announced a significant policy change for domestic air travel, permitting foreign private aviation firms to operate domestic charter flights within Saudi Arabia. Effective January 5, 2025, international operators meeting GACA's criteria may now apply for licenses, dismantling decades-old cabotage restrictions. The authority aims to promote competitive practices in the domestic aviation market. Boosting Competition and Investment GACA's Executive Vice President for Strategy, Eng. Mohammed Al-Khuraisi, emphasized this reform aligns with the General Aviation Roadmap launched in May 2024. The roadmap targets a tenfold GDP increase for the sector, aiming for $2 billion by 2030 while creating 35,000 jobs. By opening domestic routes to global players, GACA seeks to enhance market flexibility, attract foreign capital, and position Saudi Arabia as a leading aviation hub. To support this vision, GACA plans to build six dedicated general aviation airports and nine private passenger terminals. Jubail Airport will join this network, part of a broader infrastructure overhaul to streamline private jet services. The private aircraft sector recorded a 24% growth in 2024, reaching over 23,600 total flights and significant domestic increases, with Riyadh's King Khalid Airport and Jeddah's King Abdulaziz Airport leading growth at 22% and 30%, respectively. Domestic flights for private jets surged by 26%, driving improved connectivity and energizing the kingdom's overall aviation ecosystem remarkably. Aligning with Vision 2030 The policy shift hastens Saudi Arabia's $100 billion aviation investment, privatizing Abha and Taif airports while expanding cargo logistics capabilities. GACA's General Manager for Aviation, Imtiyaz Manzary, said reform will optimize empty-leg flights and boost Saudi connectivity for business, tourism. The Kingdom's aviation sector is soaring with domestic private flights rising. By fostering competition and global partnerships, GACA ensures Saudi skies remain dynamic, innovative, and pivotal to regional economic transformation. GACA's bold initiatives empower domestic travelers and revolutionize the kingdom's aviation landscape with dynamic growth and sustainable innovation remarkably fast. Short link : Post Views: 1
Zawya
29-01-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia - UK Aviation Traffic achieves record growth, Gaca led Saudi delegation to London to promote aviation investment
Riyadh: Passenger traffic between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia rose 34% to a record 1.338 million direct passengers in 2024, more than double the 0.659 million passengers achieved in 2022. The figures were announced ahead of a 27-29 January Saudi aviation delegation visit to London, headed by the General Authority of Civil Aviation's Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Intelligence, Mohammed AlKhuraisi. UK-Saudi passenger numbers were boosted by British Airways commencing direct flights between Heathrow and Jeddah, whilst national carrier Saudia Airlines also achieved significant expansion. Further growth is planned with Virgin Airways announcing direct flights from Riyadh to Heathrow commencing in March 2025. GACA Executive Vice President, Mohammed Al-Khuraisi said: 'Saudi Arabia is creating unprecedented growth and investment opportunities for global aviation, including the United Kingdom where both countries are achieving record passenger growth. The United Kingdom's expertise in aviation and infrastructure, combined with the growth agenda of the Saudi Aviation Strategy, is delivering new commercial partnerships across our airports, airlines and aviation service sectors. GACA is delighted to be leading a Saudi aviation delegation to further strengthen these partnerships and lay the platform for future growth.' The Saudi delegation's visit to London showcased the progression of the Saudi Aviation Strategy to the British government and commercial audiences, building bilateral relationships and commercial partnerships with the United Kingdom, and promoting GACA's proven expertise in safety, security, and international cooperation. The delegation participated in a roundtable event with the British Aviation Group, engagement with UK companies in the Aviation Supply Forum, and a bilateral meeting with British Government officials including the Department for Transport and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The Saudi aviation sector is undergoing significant transformation through the implementation of the Saudi Aviation Strategy, which is unlocking $100 billion in investment to triple passenger numbers to 330 million per annum. The strategy is driving unprecedented growth across the Kingdom's aviation sector, in 2024 passenger numbers rose 15% to a record 128 million, 24% above pre-pandemic levels, with flight numbers rising by 11% to 902,000. There was also a 16% increase in connectivity with the Kingdom now connected to 172 destinations on a weekly basis around the world, and a 34% increase in cargo volumes to 1.2m tons.
