The future of aviation sector in Saudi Arabia

The future of aviation sector in Saudi Arabia

The aviation sector in Saudi Arabia is witnessing an exponential growth associated with several changes in the infrastructure, starting with the ultimate goal of localizing all aviation related jobs, developing airports, and creating national airlines.

The movement of localizing jobs is being administered by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). In January 2021, GACA launched the initiative to empower the Saudi aviation sector by localizing 10,000 jobs.

This approach serves the aspirations of Vision 2030 and opens doors for qualified Saudis to work in the field. In response to localization, Saudi Arabian Airlines has recently announced that all its first-officer pilots are Saudis and other carriers are on the same path.

Another major development is the expansion of King Abdulaziz International Airport that cost $7.2 billion. According to Reuters, “the Minister of Transport and Logistics Saleh Al Jasser revealed that the Kingdom will invest approximately $133 billons within this decade to develop the aviation sector”.

Such expansions are in place to accommodate future plans to host 330 million tourists by 2030.

In addition to developing airports around the Kingdom, there is NEOM Bay Airport which received the first flight on June 30, 2019. This airport is classified as a commercial hub by International Air