Saudi Arabia has unveiled its ambitious “Enabling Advanced Air Transport in the Kingdom” initiative, introduced by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). The initiative aims to revolutionize air travel and cargo transport in the region.

The project seeks to position Saudi Arabia at the forefront of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) in the Middle East. This initiative envisions a future integrated with unmanned aircraft systems and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft.

These advancements are designed to improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability in aerial operations and across the entirety of Saudi society.

Emphasizing the transformative potential of the initiative, Captain Sulaiman bin Saleh Al-Muhaimidi, Vice President of Aviation Safety and Environmental Sustainability at GACA, stated, “We’re not just building a new mode of transportation; we’re creating the backbone for the next era of economic and social development in Saudi Arabia.”

“Successful tests across Saudi Arabia’s diverse landscapes and climate conditions have laid the groundwork for advancements that promise to alleviate traffic congestion, improve emergency medical services, and contribute to the kingdom’s ambitious goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2060.”

This initiative follows Saudi Arabia’s introduction of the Environmental Sustainability Development Plan for Civil Aviation in 2022. This plan aims to establish a regulatory framework in line with global best practices and address the environmental impact of aviation.

The kingdom is actively working to expedite its progress in air mobility by leveraging established partnerships and agreements with countries such as South Korea, Singapore, and China. Additionally, Saudi Arabia collaborates with leading vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft manufacturers.

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