Saudi Arabia Re-elected as President of Aviation Security Committee
JEDDAH: In a stunning victory, Saudi Arabia has secured its position as the president of the Aviation Security Committee for a third consecutive term, receiving unanimous support from member states.
The exciting announcement was made during the 40th committee meeting at the Arab Civil Aviation Organization’s headquarters in Rabat, Morocco.
This significant achievement highlights the Kingdom’s crucial role and proactive efforts in addressing regional and global aviation industry developments, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.
It also showcases Saudi Arabia’s esteemed position in civil aviation forums and its active participation in specialized international organizations within the sector.
Expressing his thoughts on the reappointment, Mohammed Al-Fozan, the Executive Vice President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation and Chairman of the Cooperative Aviation Security Program in the Middle East, emphasized the importance of strengthening collaborative efforts in aviation transportation security among Arab nations.
He stressed the necessity of maintaining continuous communication to uphold the highest safety standards in the industry.
Al-Fozan highlighted Saudi Arabia’s longstanding commitment to supporting the Arab Civil Aviation Organization since its inception in 1996. The Kingdom has been actively involved in supporting the organization’s initiatives through participation in corporate structures, technical committees, and the executive council.
He reassured that Saudi Arabia will persist in its efforts to enhance and bolster the Arab League-affiliated organization’s international leadership role and collaborate with stakeholders to fortify the aviation industry.
The Kingdom’s civil aviation sector witnessed a remarkable 17 percent annual growth in the first half of 2024, with passenger numbers reaching 62 million, driven by increasing domestic and international travel demand.
According to the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), the period also saw a 12 percent rise in flights, totaling 446,000, compared to the previous year.
Furthermore, air cargo traffic at Saudi Arabia’s airports experienced a substantial 41 percent surge, reaching 606,000 tonnes during the same period.
These developments align with Saudi Arabia’s ambitious aviation objectives, including tripling annual passenger numbers to 330 million, expanding connectivity to over 250 destinations from its 29 airports, and boosting air freight capacity to 4.5 million tons annually by 2030.
GACA affirms Saudi Arabia’s unwavering commitment to supporting global civil aviation through various programs and initiatives, such as deploying experts to collaborate with specialized bodies, hosting the permanent headquarters of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s CASP-MID, and serving as the permanent hub of the Regional Safety Oversight Organization for the Middle East and North Africa.
The Saudi Press Agency also highlighted the Kingdom’s generous $1 million contribution to ICAO under the “No Country Left Behind” initiative.