RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation has signed multiple air transport agreements at the International Civil Aviation Organization Facilitation Conference in Doha, as part of its strategy to bolster international cooperation and expand the Kingdom’s global aviation footprint.
Held from April 14 to 17 in Qatar, the conference brought together officials from 190 countries, including more than 120 ministers of transport and heads of civil aviation authorities.
The agreements aim to establish regulatory frameworks for air transport, reinforce civil aviation safety and security standards, and offer travelers more connectivity options, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
These developments are aligned with Saudi Arabia’s ambitious aviation strategy, which targets seamless travel for 330 million passengers to over 250 destinations and the transportation of 4.5 million tonnes of air cargo annually by 2030. The Kingdom also aims to attract 150 million tourists by the end of the decade.
As part of the latest agreements, GACA President Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej signed air services deals with Liberia and Grenada, and a record of discussions in the field of air transport with Samoa and Fiji. A separate agreement with Ecuador was signed on behalf of GACA by Ali bin Mohammed Rajab, executive vice president for Air Transport and International Cooperation.
“These agreements aim to strengthen ties between Saudi Arabia and participating nations, facilitate the operation of air transport services, and support the safe and orderly growth of the sector in line with the 1944 Chicago Convention,” SPA reported.
The accords also reflect Saudi Arabia’s broader goals of becoming a leading aviation hub in the Middle East and a global player in civil aviation, while maintaining a strong focus on air safety and environmental sustainability.
In addition to signing new agreements, GACA held bilateral meetings with aviation authorities from Qatar, the UAE, Egypt, Syria, Yemen, and Seychelles. Discussions focused on enhancing joint cooperation, forming strategic partnerships, and advancing safety and facilitation standards in the aviation sector.
Organized by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority in collaboration with ICAO, this year’s conference—held under the theme “Facilitating the Future of Air Transport: Collaboration, Efficiency, and Inclusiveness”—served as a platform for global dialogue on the evolving landscape of civil aviation.
