RIYADH: The Saudi Aviation Club and Messe Frankfurt Group have signed a memorandum of understanding to host the largest annual air show in the Middle East.
The club said on Thursday that the agreement “merges the Saudi Aviation Club’s renowned consumer-focused General Aviation Air Show 2025 Sand and Fun with Messe Frankfurt’s powerful industry platform Aero Middle East, creating the region’s premier hub for general aviation technology.”
Prince Sultan bin Salman, the founder and chairman of Saudi Aviation Club, said that the partnership with Messe Frankfurt was “a landmark moment.”
Wolfgang Marzin, the CEO of Messe Frankfurt Company, said: “We will deliver a must-attend annual event that serves the entire general aviation community.”
Alongside the partnership, the air show has witnessed the signing of 17 other agreements and memorandums of understanding with government and private entities such as the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority, the Saudi Aircraft Preparation and Maintenance Company, Cluster2, Red Aviation, GGAS Aviation Services, the Human Resources Development Fund, and the National Aviation Academy.
The agreements cover multiple areas, including the development of general aviation infrastructure, the adoption of emerging future technologies, the enhancement of operational and training capabilities, and the provision of integrated safety and technical service solutions.
This announcement comes at a time when Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector is witnessing remarkable growth, with the number of aviation clubs now standing at 19, and the establishment of 46 accredited flying schools across the Kingdom.
The air show, which continues until Saturday, features more than 90 aerial performances and has attracted more than 150 exhibitors from around the world.
According to the event’s organizers, the show is expected to host more than 200,000 visitors.
The memorandum was signed by Ahmed Al-Fahid, a member of the board of directors and general supervisor of the Saudi Aviation Club, and Azzan Mohamed, managing director at Messe Frankfurt Saudi Arabia. The signing was attended by Prince Sultan and Marzin.
