Montreal, September 13, 2024 — Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and Chairman of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization's Executive Council, has urged global civil aviation authorities to collaborate in ushering in a new era of aviation.
In his keynote address at the UN International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Advanced Air Mobility Symposium, held in Montreal from September 9 to 12, Al-Duailej emphasized the need for collective efforts to share knowledge and tackle the challenges facing the sector. He stressed the importance of building partnerships to ensure the successful global adoption of advanced air mobility technologies.
The ICAO symposium, attended by ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano, representatives from ICAO member states, and leaders from the global aviation industry, saw Saudi Arabia selected to deliver the opening speech. This choice reflects the Kingdom's prominent role in international civil aviation and its position as a strategic hub for global trade and tourism, linking Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Saudi Arabia showcased its Advanced Air Mobility roadmap at the symposium, which was launched in 2024 as part of the national aviation strategy. The roadmap outlines seven key areas: technological innovation, infrastructure development, governance, trust-building, investment attraction, regulation, and human capital development.
The Kingdom also highlighted its successful hosting of the third edition of the Future Aviation Forum 2024, held in May under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. This forum was notable for featuring the largest collection of advanced air transport aircraft to date.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia demonstrated its practical experience with advanced air mobility by detailing its air taxi operations during the recent Hajj season. The Kingdom plans to establish a capabilities center by 2028 to focus on training local talent and attracting global expertise.
At the symposium, the ICAO awarded the Global Advanced Air Mobility Academic Paper Competition prize to students from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). This award highlights Saudi Arabia's commitment to advancing air mobility technologies and aligns with its goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2060. The recognition also underscores the Kingdom's investments in Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft and its dedication to cutting-edge research.
