Saudi Arabia Hosts First ICAO Meetings in the Middle East

The meetings in Jeddah saw wide regional and global presence. (Saudi Air Navigation Services Company)

The Saudi Air Navigation Services Company celebrated on Sunday the International Day of the Air Traffic Controller, observed annually on Oct. 20. The event, held in Jeddah, was attended by representatives from global and regional civil aviation organizations.
The celebration coincided with the 13th meeting of the Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance Systems Working Group and the 10th meeting of the Middle East Air Traffic Management Working Group, both under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). These meetings, held in Saudi Arabia for the first time, saw the participation of around 80 delegates from 18 countries, as well as representatives from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and ICAO.
Additionally, the first meeting of the Flight and Flow Information for a Collaborative Environment (FF-ICE) Working Group, under the Gulf Cooperation Council, was convened to discuss updates and contribute to the development of practical solutions and strategies to achieve common goals.
Saudi Arabia has seen steady growth in air traffic across its airports and airspace, with a significant milestone in 2019 when the country appointed its first group of female air traffic controllers, highlighting the growing role of women in the civil aviation sector.
Eng. Abdulaziz Al-Zaid, CEO of the Saudi Air Navigation Services Company, described Saudi Arabia’s hosting of these meetings as a testament to the nation’s commitment to leading the aviation sector in the Middle East and globally. He emphasized the unlimited support this sector receives from King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Al-Zaid noted that celebrating the International Day of the Air Traffic Controller underscores the crucial role of air traffic controllers in ensuring the safety and smooth flow of air traffic in Saudi airspace and airports. It also reflects the country’s engagement in international recognition of this essential profession.
Saleh Al-Zahrani, Chief Operating Officer of the company, also emphasized Saudi Arabia’s leadership in civil aviation in the region. He expressed hope that the meetings would contribute to advancing air navigation across the Middle East, ensuring the highest standards of safety, security, and efficiency, while fostering sustainable growth.
Saudi Arabia’s air traffic is managed through an integrated, state-of-the-art navigation system, among the most advanced in the world. This system includes two regional control centers in Jeddah and Riyadh, 19 monitoring units, a navigation control and monitoring center, and 1,200 navigation devices across the country, all operating 24/7 with cutting-edge global technologies to meet the highest standards of safety and efficiency.