GACA, GAMI partner to advance air mobility in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to spearhead the development of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) and unmanned aircraft within the Kingdom.
The agreement represents a significant step forward in Saudi Arabia’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) project, underscoring the Kingdom’s ambition to advance air mobility technology and bolster industrial capabilities.
Furthermore, the initiative seeks to create and implement innovative systems that facilitate advanced flight modes, further enhancing the nation’s aviation landscape.
Advancing air mobility technology
As part of the agreement, GAMI and GACA will exchange scientific and practical expertise, develop specialised working groups, and conduct workshops and training sessions.
Additionally, by fostering collaboration in these areas, both entities will expand opportunities for maintenance and repair projects.
Moreover, the partnership emphasises the development of traffic procedures for unmanned aircraft, which is an essential aspect of integrating uncrewed airliners into the Kingdom’s airspace.
Beyond this, the agreement aligns with the broader goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritises the localisation and advancement of the military industries sector, particularly in aerial mobility.
During the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) inaugural Advanced Air Mobility Symposium held in Montreal last month, HE Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, President of GACA, emphasised Saudi Arabia’s commitment to becoming a leader in advanced aviation technology.
He noted the transformative impact of these advancements on transportation, tourism, and healthcare systems, both within the Kingdom and globally.
In line with this vision, the MoU also aims to advance GACA’s strategic goals for the aviation sector, which focus on fostering partnerships to ensure safe, sustainable, and efficient transportation solutions.
To achieve this, GACA is working closely with leading local and global manufacturers to establish robust regulations that support the operation of VTOL aircraft and the implementation of advanced air mobility technologies across the Kingdom.
At the Farnborough Airshow 2024, GACA further demonstrated its commitment by signing an agreement with Lilium to establish and implement the necessary regulations for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) operations in Saudi Arabia.