During his keynote address at the inaugural Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Symposium hosted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), His Excellency Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, President of Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), urged global cooperation to usher in a new era of aviation. He called on nations to unite in supporting the accelerated and safe deployment of AAM, aligning with the symposium’s Call to Action.
Saudi Arabia was chosen to deliver the opening keynote to aviation leaders from over 75 countries at the event in Montreal, ICAO's headquarters. As Chair of the Arab Civil Aviation Organisation (ACAO), Al-Duailej emphasised the need for regulators to work together to seamlessly integrate AAM into the global aviation system.
“This gathering is not just another milestone; it is a beacon lighting the path toward a new era in aviation. Saudi Arabia is dedicated to building a future where Advanced Air Mobility is a cornerstone of global connectivity and economic growth. Let us rise to the challenge, let us redefine the future of aviation, and let us do it together. Only through such cooperation can we fully unlock the potential of this sector.”
He also highlighted the immense global opportunity that AAM presents and its crucial role in promoting a sustainable future.
Saudi Arabia is quickly becoming a leader in AAM development, having released an AAM roadmap earlier this year and conducted air taxi trials in NEOM and Makkah during the Hajj pilgrimage.
At the symposium, ICAO recognised Saudi Arabia’s potential in AAM by awarding KAUST students the top prize in the ICAO Global AAM Academic Paper Competition. This recognition reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to cutting-edge research and complements its investments in eVTOL aircraft, aligning with its ambitious goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2060.
Additionally, GACA held bilateral meetings with various aviation authorities and organisations, including the ICAO President, KAUST, and Embry-Riddle’s President P. Barry Butler, to strengthen international partnerships.
On the sidelines of the event, which ran from 8-12 September, a high-level Saudi delegation visited BETA Technologies’ facility in Vermont, USA, where they explored the latest advancements in AAM manufacturing and exchanged expertise in sustainable aviation.
Saudi Arabia looks to strengthen air mobility operations
His Excellency Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, the President of GACA, at the first-ever air taxi trial in Mecca - Saudi Arabia, in June 2024. (Image source: GACA)
