Saudi AAM initiative propels middle east air mobility to new heights
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in Saudi Arabia has unveiled its groundbreaking Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) initiative, designed to elevate the Kingdom’s air transport sector to unprecedented levels of safety and development within the Middle East region.
This visionary initiative encompasses a spectrum of cutting-edge solutions, ranging from compact unmanned aircraft to vertical take-off and landing capabilities. These technologies promise secure, sustainable, and expeditious transportation for both passengers and goods. The high technical proficiency inherent in these innovations aims to alleviate traffic congestion, enhance accessibility to remote regions, and foster comprehensive economic and social development.
Captain Sulaiman Al-Muhaymedi, Executive Vice President of GACA for Aviation Safety and Environmental Sustainability, underscores the AAM initiative’s pivotal role in positioning advanced air transport at the forefront of the aviation industry. Transforming the landscape of transportation, AAM introduces groundbreaking solutions, spanning small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) to vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft.
Al-Muhaymedi emphasizes the transformative impact on passenger mobility, goods transport, emergency response, medical evacuation, and disaster relief. Environmental sustainability stands out as a core focus, aligning with the initiative’s commitment to constructing a robust framework for advanced air transport systems.
Highlighting successful tests conducted across diverse terrains and climatic conditions in the Kingdom, Al-Muhaymedi underscores the positive outcomes achievable in various transportation sectors. These outcomes encompass the reduction of traffic congestion, road accidents, and the Kingdom’s pursuit of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2060.
Underlining Saudi Arabia’s dedication to environmental preservation and sustainable development, the Crown Prince’s ambitious initiatives, including the Green Saudi Initiative and the Green Middle East Initiative, play a pivotal role. GACA’s 2022 draft plan, encompassing environmental sustainability in civil aviation, incorporates the “Enabling AAM in the Kingdom” initiative. This aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, affirming the Kingdom’s global aviation standing and its ambition to become a leading international hub for future transportation.
International collaboration is integral to the Kingdom’s AAM journey, with memorandums of understanding inked with countries such as South Korea, Singapore, and China. Agreements with leading companies in AAM aircraft design and manufacturing underline the Kingdom’s commitment to securing a prominent position in safety and development within this transformative field.
