New airport security regulations: localization, training, and strict requirements
In a strategic move aimed at enhancing aviation safety, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has unveiled the outlines of its new regulatory framework for granting licenses to operate aviation security services at Saudi Arabian airports. This framework establishes a robust legal and operational structure to ensure the highest levels of safety for passengers and critical infrastructure, including specific requirements related to Saudization, professional training, and direct coordination with sovereign security agencies.
Strategic context: Security is a cornerstone of transformation in the aviation sector
These regulatory moves cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader context of the Kingdom's aviation sector within the framework of Vision 2030. With the launch of the National Aviation Strategy, which aims to reach 330 million passengers annually and connect the Kingdom to 250 global destinations, raising security standards has become an urgent necessity, not a luxury. The significant expansion of airport infrastructure and the increase in cargo and passenger traffic necessitate advanced security measures that ensure smooth operations without compromising security controls. This is precisely what the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) seeks to achieve through the governance of companies operating in this sensitive sector.
Localization and training: Investing in national talent
The new regulations placed Saudi personnel at the heart of the security equation, requiring security companies to fully Saudize jobs in the sector. The authority did not stop at nationality requirements, but also imposed stringent quality standards, including:
- Mandatory employment of highly qualified Saudi personnel.
- Subjecting employees to intensive training programs that comply with the National Civil Aviation Security Program.
- Requirement to obtain the necessary professional licenses to practice the work.
- Providing certificates of good conduct (clean criminal record) to ensure the complete reliability of the individuals entrusted with protecting air gateways.
Integration of roles and compliance with international standards
From a regulatory standpoint, the authority has categorically prohibited the provision of any security services within airport boundaries without a valid permit issued by it. To ensure there are no conflicts of interest or duplication of standards, the regulations stipulate that obtaining a permit is contingent upon prior approval from the High Commission for Industrial Security. This linkage ensures the integration of efforts between civil and industrial security, thereby enhancing the ability of Saudi airports to meet the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and improving the Kingdom's ranking in global aviation safety indices.
Precise tasks and strict oversight
The regulations precisely define the scope of work for service providers, which includes guarding vital airline facilities, securing banks and duty-free shops within the airport, monitoring check-in counters, and conducting on-site inspections of aircraft parking areas, baggage, and passengers. In return, the authority granted itself broad oversight powers, enabling it to summon company representatives, verify data, and refuse or suspend permits in the event of any violations affecting aviation security and safety. The regulations also specify license durations ranging from one to five years, depending on the airport's classification and the applicable fees.
