Ashraf AboArafe
The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation intends to launch the General Aviation Roadmap during the activities of the Future of Aviation 2024 conference, which is held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud – may God protect him – and organized by the General Authority of Civil Aviation during the period from May 20 to 22 under the slogan “Enhancing the level of global connectivity,” as it aims to increase the general aviation sector’s contribution to the GDP tenfold, to reach two billion dollars by 2030.
The general aviation plan includes the business aircraft sector, including private charter aircraft, private corporate aviation, and support for aircraft owners, investors, operators and service providers, which contributes to confirming the Kingdom’s position as a world-class business and tourism destination.
The Kingdom redefined its tourism goal for 2030 last October, raising it from 100 million visitors to 150 million visitors by 2030.
His Excellency the President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Mr. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, stressed on this occasion that the general aviation sector is vital for the growth of high-value sectors in the Saudi economy, including tourism, business, and entertainment events, and the general aviation roadmap will work to advance the sector within the Kingdom, and develop Infrastructure, legislative regulations and enhancement of services provided in the market.
He said: “The General Civil Aviation Authority is looking forward to hosting investors, private aviation operators and service providers at the Future of Aviation 2024 conference this May, which will witness the announcement of this ambitious plan before the leaders of the global aviation sector.”
The general aviation roadmap will support aircraft owners, investors, operators and service providers by investing in infrastructure and simplifying rules and regulations, as this announcement comes after the General Authority of Civil Aviation allowed the transportation of passengers to other international destinations for foreign companies “empty leg removal”, and simplified requirements. Economic licensing for operators and investors in October 2023, to boost the general aviation sector.
The Future of Aviation Conference 2024 will bring together more than 5,000 aviation industry experts and leaders from more than 100 countries, including ministers, directors of aviation authorities, manufacturers, and representatives of airlines and airport operating companies. The conference will include the announcement of a number of commercial agreements and deals, in addition to launching a map. General aviation route, in addition to holding specialized discussion sessions in general aviation.
It is noteworthy that the International Future of Aviation Conference, in its second edition, witnessed the participation of (60) countries, the signing of more than (50) agreements and memorandums of understanding, (116) bilateral meetings, and the launch of a number of important policies and strategies for the civil aviation sector, in addition to the signing of a number Large partnerships between government sectors and the private sector.
