Saudi Arabia and Syria sign a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in civil aviation
In a move reflecting the development of bilateral relations and the shared desire to strengthen the air transport sector, His Excellency the President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailij, met today at the Authority’s headquarters in Riyadh with his Syrian counterpart, the Director General of Syrian Civil Aviation, Engineer Omar Hisham Al-Hosari.
The meeting witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding for technical cooperation between the two countries, in addition to the signing of a record of discussions aimed at updating the air transport services agreement, within the framework of the two sides’ efforts to exchange experiences and provide the necessary technical and advisory support to develop the civil aviation system.
Details of the agreement and areas of cooperation
During the meeting, the two sides reviewed a range of topics of mutual interest, with discussions focusing on ways to enhance integration in the areas of air safety and aviation security. The memorandum of understanding included provisions related to the exchange of information and technical expertise, which will contribute to increased operational efficiency and improved safety standards in regional airspace.
The two sides also discussed mechanisms for developing airport and airside infrastructure, and cooperation in air traffic management and navigation services. This is to ensure the smooth and safe flow of air traffic between the Kingdom and Syria, which is a fundamental pillar for connecting air routes in the region.
The context of the return of relations and its impact on air transport
This move comes amid a marked improvement in diplomatic relations between Riyadh and Damascus, following the resumption of diplomatic missions and Syria's return to its seat in the Arab League. The civil aviation sector is among the first to benefit from this rapprochement, as this positive political climate has paved the way for the resumption of direct flights.
Last Hajj season, the Kingdom received the first direct flights of Syrian pilgrims from Damascus International Airport to King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah after a hiatus of several years, which confirms the importance of current agreements in establishing sustainable regulatory frameworks for commercial, tourist and religious air transport in the future.
Strategic and economic importance
This agreement carries great strategic importance, as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through its national aviation strategy, seeks to be a global logistics hub linking the three continents. The stability and safety of the airspace in neighboring countries, including Syria, is an important factor in achieving smooth air traffic flow in the region.
For its part, the Syrian aviation sector seeks to benefit from advanced Saudi expertise in this field to rehabilitate its air system and raise the efficiency of its personnel, in line with the international standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which will facilitate the movement of passengers and goods and enhance opportunities for economic cooperation between the two brotherly countries.
