Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), has held a leading presence at the 42nd General Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), held in Montreal, Canada, from September 23 to October 3.
A high-level delegation, led by Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and GACA Chairman Saleh Al-Jasser, presented 31 working and information papers addressing critical themes such as innovation, safety, security, sustainability, quality, and air transport development.
The delegation to ICAO also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to enhance global aviation connectivity and its vision to position the Kingdom as a leading hub in the international aviation sector.
GACA President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej emphasized that these papers align with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal of transforming the Kingdom into a global logistics hub. They highlighted safety and security, including efforts to enhance aviation security and address emerging risks from advanced air mobility, such as drones and cyberattacks; sustainability, focusing on reducing carbon emissions, investing in biofuels, and clean technologies; and infrastructure and quality, advocating for airport infrastructure development and integrating the passenger experience into ICAO regulatory frameworks.
The delegation also reaffirmed the Kingdom’s ambitious goals under the civil aviation program, aiming to reach 330 million passengers annually by 2030, double the number of international travel destinations to over 250, and increase air cargo capacity to 4.5 million tons annually.
Key proposals at ICAO General Assembly included streamlining the process for humanitarian and relief flights by tackling permit delays and inconsistent fees, in line with the ongoing efforts of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief). Another major proposal called for the development of ICAO guidance materials to accredit Air Navigation Service Providers, aimed at strengthening global aviation safety, efficiency, and operational standards.
