FaceOf: General Authority of Civil Aviation chairman Abdul Hakim Al-Tamimi

Abdul Hakim Al-Tamimi
Updated 30 June 2018
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FaceOf: General Authority of Civil Aviation chairman Abdul Hakim Al-Tamimi

  • Al-Tamimi was the first Saudi helicopter commander when he worked with Aramco’s Arab Helicopter Company between 1982 and 1984.
  • He was also an Airbus pilot, was CEO of the Gulf Aviation Technology Company, and later held senior positions at GACA before his latest appointment.

Abdul Hakim Al-Tamimi is the chairman of the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) who has held the rank of minister since June 2017. 

Before his appointment in 2017, he served as assistant chairman of the Authority for Safety, Security and Air Transport at the General Authority of Civil Aviation and was an executive member of the Council of the Arab Civil Aviation Authority.

Al-Tamimi studied aviation in the US and earned a number of licenses.

He also received an aviation trainer certification and a commercial pilot certification from the US, with qualifications in a number of jetliners.

Born in 1961, Al-Tamimi was the first Saudi helicopter commander when he worked with Aramco’s Arab Helicopter Company between 1982 and 1984. 

He served as the pilot in command in Learjet and Hawker aircraft between 1984 and 1986. Then he moved to work in the field of medical evacuation in the armed forces. Between 1986 and 1988 he was pilot in command and also the director of medical evacuation training for Learjet and Gulfstream aircraft.

From 2008 to 2015 he was the CEO of the Gulf Aviation Technology Company, specializing in light aircraft maintenance. He was licensed by the General Authority of Civil Aviation and the European Aviation and Space Administration. He also became an Airbus pilot and a consultant to the NAS general manager of operations.

GACA and the US Federal Aviation Administration signed a memorandum of understanding on Saturday. The parties discussed investment opportunities in the Kingdom at a roundtable meeting with major American civil aviation companies.

 

 

 


Saudi aid agency launches food distribution projects in Djibouti and Guinea

Updated 21 February 2026
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Saudi aid agency launches food distribution projects in Djibouti and Guinea

  • Projects to benefit 40,000 individuals across Djibouti and 50,000 in Guinea
  • KSrelief's aid programs have reached a total of 113 countries across four continents

RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has launched its 2026 food distribution projects in the African republics of Djibouti and Guinea.

The initiatives are part of Saudi Arabia’s broader humanitarian relief efforts to enhance global food security for vulnerable populations, according to statements carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

In Djibouti, Saudi Ambassador Mutrek Al-Ajaleen and other local officials rolled out the fifth phase of the year’s project. It consists of 6,715 baskets of essential food items designed to support 40,000 individuals across multiple regions of the country.

In Guinea, Saudi Ambassador Dr. Fahad Al-Rashidi led the launch ceremony for a similar initiative. Under this project, 8,400 food baskets will be distributed, benefiting 50,000 people nationwide.

Since its establishment in 2015, KSrelief has served as Saudi Arabia's primary humanitarian arm, making food security one of its largest and most critical operational sectors. According to the center's official statistics, KSrelief has implemented over 1,150 dedicated food security projects at a total cost of more than $2.2 billion.

These specific food distribution initiatives have successfully delivered vital sustenance to vulnerable populations in 86 countries worldwide. Broadening the scope beyond just food security, KSrelief's overall humanitarian and development aid programs have reached a total of 113 countries across four continents.