The Saudi national aviation strategy supports economic development in Saudi Arabia and provides promising opportunities for global investors, announced Chairman of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) Abdulaziz al-Duailej.
Duailej participated in the Wings India 2024 Conference and Exhibition, organized by the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation in cooperation with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) from January 18 to 21 at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad.
The chairman said Saudi civil aviation plays a significant role in supporting economic growth and achieving sustainable development in the Kingdom.
“Saudi Arabia has taken big strides in shaping the future of aviation through Vision 2030 and the Saudi Aviation Strategy,” said Duailej, adding that it confirms the Kingdom’s pioneering role in the field.
He explained that the Saudi Aviation Strategy is a “pledge to attract $100 billion, accommodating 300 million passengers,” aiming for more than 330 million passengers annually by 2030.
He elaborated that the Strategy aims to have “10% of passengers to be transit, asserting the focus on sustainable and integrated growth.”
Duailej added that the Strategy includes a comprehensive plan to upgrade and develop airports, airlines, aircraft, and facilities, including shipping and logistics services.
It also aims to increase the Kingdom’s air connectivity to more than 250 destinations worldwide through 29 airports.
Through the Strategy, Saudi Arabia hopes to bring about a major qualitative shift in air freight and logistics services, aiming to grow from 0.8 million to 4.5 million tons by 2030.
GACA chief explained that the Kingdom is aware of the tremendous and enormous potential and promising opportunities of the Indian civil aviation market, and is keen to participate and benefit from linking India to the world by increasing the volume of air links between India and the Kingdom.
He noted that it would be a solid basis for developing civil aviation relations between the two nations.
Saudi Arabia is eager to strengthen its ties with international counterparts, especially with its host. India is already the third-biggest domestic aviation market by volume and is projected to be the third-largest overall by 2026.
