Saudi Aviation Strategy targets 330mln annual passengers by 2030, prioritizing direct travel -GACA Chief
Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), has unveiled the ambitious Saudi Aviation Strategy, a cornerstone of Saudi Vision 2030, at a ministerial session during Wings India 2024. The plan envisions welcoming 330 million passengers annually by 2030, with a strategic focus on limiting transit passengers to a mere 10 percent of this substantial influx.
Al-Duailej emphasized the pivotal role of civil aviation in propelling Saudi Arabia’s economic growth and sustainable development. As part of this strategy, the Kingdom is set to redefine its aviation landscape, targeting $100 billion in investments and the creation of an unparalleled travel experience, reflecting a commitment to sustainable and integrated growth.
Integral to the Saudi Aviation Strategy is a comprehensive plan encompassing the enhancement of airports, airlines, aircraft, and facilities, including shipping and logistics services. The goal is to expand air connectivity to over 250 destinations globally through 29 airports, with Riyadh and Jeddah spearheading two global connectivity centers.
Highlighting the strategy’s scope, Al-Duailej underscored its commitment to transforming air freight and logistics services, intending to increase air freight capacity from 0.8 million tons to 4.5 million tons by 2030. This initiative aims to attract global air carriers, logistics service providers, and multinational companies to invest and operate in the Kingdom.
Recognizing the potential of the Indian civil aviation market, Al-Duailej expressed Saudi Arabia’s keen interest in strengthening air links with India, acknowledging India’s significant role as the third-largest domestic aviation market, poised to become the third-largest overall by 2026.
In conclusion, Al-Duailej extended an invitation to the participants of Wings India 2024 to the Future of Aviation Conference, scheduled from May 20 to 22, 2024, in Riyadh. The conference aims to contribute to the future of civil aviation and solidify the Kingdom’s commitment to collaborating with international partners for a more prosperous and sustainable aviation sector.
