Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has begun to make significant strides in the aviation sector through its Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) initiative. This initiative aims to revolutionize air transport in the Middle East and establish the Kingdom as a pioneer in sustainable aviation technologies.
Under the leadership of GACA President Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, the AAM initiative encompasses a wide range of solutions, including unmanned aircraft systems and vertical take-off and landing aircraft. These advancements prioritize safety, reliability, and sustainability in air transport with the overarching goal of facilitating efficient mobility while addressing environmental concerns.
Al-Duailej has highlighted the authority’s active efforts to accelerate AAM in Saudi Arabia, including the establishment of a ground-breaking test bed with NEOM and the development of necessary regulatory frameworks. He sees AAM as a paradigm shift in how people move, commute, and live.
Additionally, GACA’s Vice President of Aviation Safety and Environmental Sustainability, Sulaiman bin Saleh Al-Muhaimidi, has described the AAM initiative as the backbone for the next era of economic and social development in Saudi Arabia. Successful tests in diverse landscapes and climate conditions demonstrate AAM’s potential to alleviate traffic congestion, improve emergency medical services, and contribute to the Kingdom’s ambitious goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2060.
As Saudi Arabia pursues a diverse, sustainable, and thriving economy through Vision 2030, AAM plays a pivotal role in this journey. Saleh Al-Jasser, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and the Chairman of the board of GACA, has emphasized AAM’s revolutionary potential in reshaping lives, economies, and the design of cities.
International cooperation also plays a crucial role in Saudi Arabia’s AAM journey, with the Kingdom signing memorandums of understanding with countries like South Korea, Singapore, and China. Additionally, Saudi Arabia has concluded agreements with leading companies in the design and manufacturing of AAM aircraft to ensure a leading position in the safety and development sectors.
The economic impact of the AAM strategy is expected to be significant, with a report published by GACA estimating its contribution to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product and the generation of thousands of jobs by 2040. Through collaboration within the ecosystem and the identification of relevant stakeholders for the AAM roadmap, Saudi Arabia is preparing for early operations in this sector.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia has taken concrete steps in testing and evaluating the flight performance of Volocopter aircraft, with a joint venture formed with NEOM. This testing focused on the integration of air taxis into the local unmanned aircraft system traffic management system, positioning NEOM as a global living lab for the future of transport.
The successful implementation of AAM promises environmental sustainability, economic growth, and technological innovation, positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in the aviation sector and a global tourism destination. With a strong emphasis on safety, reliability, and sustainability, AAM is set to revolutionize the aviation industry in the Kingdom and beyond.
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