The 20th meeting of the Civil Aviation Steering Committee was held
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, chaired by His Excellency Mr. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailij, held the 20th meeting of the Steering Committee for Activating the Aviation Program in Riyadh. The meeting was attended by prominent figures in the sector, including His Excellency Dr. Rumaih bin Mohammed Al-Rumaih, Deputy Minister of Transport and Logistics, and His Excellency Mr. Ahmed bin Sufyan Al-Hassan, Assistant Minister of Transport, along with a select group of CEOs and representatives of national companies and carriers. The event, which highlighted the rapid development in the air transport sector, was hosted by Taiba Airports Operation Company.
Strategic context towards Saudi Vision 2030
This meeting comes within the framework of the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to achieve the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, specifically the National Transport and Logistics Strategy. This strategy aims to solidify the Kingdom's position as a global logistics hub connecting three continents and to enhance the quality of life by facilitating travel. His Excellency the President of the Authority began his remarks by expressing his deepest gratitude to the wise leadership for its unwavering support, emphasizing that the civil aviation sector continues to deliver exceptional performance as a key enabler of national economic growth.
Operational readiness and world records
Regarding operational readiness, the Saudi aviation sector demonstrated exceptional ability to handle global and regional challenges with high efficiency. Well-defined contingency plans were activated, reflecting the resilience and robustness of air traffic. In numerical terms, the Kingdom's airports received over 2,000 flights from neighboring countries' carriers, transporting more than 258,000 passengers between February 28 and May 3, while maintaining seamless air traffic flow and enhancing the passenger experience.
This operational success was clearly demonstrated during the peak season of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, when the Kingdom's airports recorded record numbers, welcoming more than 12.1 million passengers. In addition to these figures, Saudi airports continue to garner international awards, maintaining their prominent positions among the top 100 airports in the world for the fifth consecutive year. Four Saudi airports were awarded 14 prestigious awards according to the Skytrax World Airport Awards.
Redouble efforts to serve the guests of God
Serving pilgrims and Umrah performers is a top priority for the Saudi leadership, as reflected in the directives of His Excellency the President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation to redouble efforts and dedicate all human and technological resources to providing the highest quality services. Providing a safe and convenient travel experience for pilgrims and Umrah performers not only reflects the Kingdom's religious and historical commitment but also reinforces its global leadership in crowd management and airport infrastructure development according to the highest international standards.
Strategic partnerships to enhance logistics services
At the conclusion of the meeting, and as a culmination of efforts to strengthen strategic partnerships, His Excellency the Chairman of the Authority oversaw the signing of a significant Memorandum of Understanding between Taiba Airports Company and Saudi Cargo. This agreement aims to develop the air cargo and logistics system at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, which will contribute to supporting the local economy, facilitating the movement of goods, and enhancing the airport's ability to meet increasing demand, both during Hajj and Umrah seasons and throughout the year.
