RIYADH: The aviation sector in Saudi Arabia has become a cornerstone of the Kingdom's economic development, with the General Authority of Civil Aviation's (GACA) inaugural State of Aviation Report revealing a massive $20 billion contribution to the economy in 2023, and a further $32.2 billion generated from tourism activities. As part of the Kingdom's ambitious Vision 2030 agenda, the report outlines the considerable impact and growth of Saudi aviation, which has notably outpaced global recovery rates post-pandemic.

More than 5,000 global aviation leaders and experts will gather at the Future Aviation Forum 2024 in Riyadh, from May 20 to 22. The event, themed 'Elevating Global Connectivity,' is set to discuss investments, innovation, and technology that will continue to boost the sector's contribution to Saudi Arabia's GDP. The forum will also feature the Investment Showcase, aiming to entice investors by unveiling projects like the massive six-runway King Salman International Airport, in addition to opportunities in cargo, logistics, advanced air mobility, and business aviation.

During the event, GACA will present a General Aviation roadmap projecting a tenfold increase to $2 billion by 2030, bolstering private aviation with infrastructure investments and streamlined regulations. The Kingdom's aviation strategy plans to triple passenger numbers, manage 330 million passengers, and 4.5 million tonnes of cargo by 2030, significantly amplifying the sector's contribution to the economy.

Top executives from the world's leading aerospace companies, including Boeing, Airbus, and the Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China, will attend the forum. With over 50 agreements totaling $2.7 billion signed in its 2022 edition, this year's forum anticipates more commercial announcements that will propel Saudi Arabia towards becoming the world's newest investment hub for aviation.

The transformative efforts in Saudi Arabia's aviation sector, steered by Vision 2030 objectives, emphasize not just economic but also socio-cultural shifts as the Kingdom liberalizes and diversifies away from oil-dependence. An essential part of this transformation involves enhancing support services such as the MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) industry, which is expected to expand and cater to the influx of aircraft in the Middle East region. This will not only generate additional revenue but also create high-skill jobs for nationals, aligning with the Saudization strategy.

To further bolster its aviation prowess, Saudi Arabia is investing in cutting-edge technologies with a particular focus on sustainability. The Kingdom is exploring renewable energy sources to power airports, developing more fuel-efficient aircraft, and looking into alternative fuels to decrease the environmental impact of air travel. This shift towards green solutions sits well with the global move towards more eco-friendly aviation practices and will likely position the Kingdom as a leader in sustainable aviation.

Training and educations also play a crucial role in the development of the aviation sector. With the Kingdom's strategy to quadruple the number of Saudi pilots and aviation technicians by 2030, educational institutes and aviation academies are scaling their capacities. An influx of professionals trained in the latest aviation technologies and best practices will be crucial for maintaining high safety and service quality standards as the industry expands.

Enhanced connectivity within Saudi Arabia is not limited to the skies. The Kingdom is also investing heavily in ground infrastructure, such as a high-speed rail network that seamlessly integrates with the air transport system. This will provide smooth transit for international visitors and domestic travelers alike, fortifying the tourism industry's role in the Kingdom's economic fabric.

Furthermore, to maximize the aviation sector's capabilities, strategic partnerships are underscored in the report. Collaborations with international aviation bodies and counterparts are anticipated to foster shared knowledge and spur innovations, further elevating the Kingdom's status in the global aviation landscape.

In aligning with the Vision 2030 agenda, great emphasis has been placed on enhancing customer experience. This includes revamping airport facilities, adopting digital transformation initiatives to streamline passenger flow, and leveraging big data to enhance operational efficiency. Such advancements are vital for the Kingdom to meet its targets and exceed passenger expectations - particularly as Saudi Arabia prepares to welcome a growing number of pilgrims for religious tourism in the coming years.

Moreover, the Kingdom's strategic geographic location is being leveraged to turn it into a key logistics hub, particularly for East-West trade. This ambition caters to the modern Silk Road concept, linking Asia with Africa and Europe via multimodal connectivity - air, sea, and land. Investment in logistics hubs, aligned with the aviation industry, is critical to realizing this central position in global trade.

All these initiatives are underpinned by a regulatory framework that supports an open and competitive market. Recent liberalization measures by GACA, such as relaxing airspace restrictions and introducing competitive airport fees, are designed to attract more international carriers and investors to the Saudi market.

As Saudi Arabia continues to open its doors and skies to the world, the Future Aviation Forum 2024 stands as a testament to the Kingdom's commitment to revolutionizing its aviation sector and putting into action the grand blueprint of Vision 2030.