Saudi GACA Chief Chairs 71st ACAO Executive Council in Rabat

President of the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO), Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, chaired the 71st session of the ACAO Executive Council in Rabat, Morocco, on December 24, 2024. The session brought together ministers, heads of delegations from member states, and representatives of the Arab League to advance a unified Arab agenda for civil aviation. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the meeting focused on strengthening air safety, expanding air connectivity, and supporting the sustainable growth of the region’s aviation industry. The session underscored Saudi Arabia’s growing leadership role in shaping the future of Arab civil aviation at a time when the sector is recovering and expanding across the Middle East and North Africa.

The Rabat gathering was not merely a procedural meeting. It reflected a deliberate, collective effort by Arab states to align their aviation policies, share technical expertise, and present a coordinated front in global aviation forums. For international observers, the session signals that Arab civil aviation is moving toward deeper integration, with Saudi Arabia positioned at the center of that effort. The outcomes of the 71st session are expected to inform national strategies on safety oversight, infrastructure investment, and regulatory harmonization in the months ahead. The presence of the Arab League further elevated the session, linking aviation development to broader regional economic cooperation and trade facilitation.

Context and Background

Why does a regional aviation council meeting in Morocco matter to the global aviation community? The Arab Civil Aviation Organization, headquartered in Rabat, serves as the principal intergovernmental body coordinating civil aviation policies among Arab states. Its Executive Council oversees the implementation of the organization’s strategic plans, including initiatives on air safety, security, environmental sustainability, and air transport liberalization. The 71st session followed Saudi Arabia’s unanimous election as chair of the ACAO Executive Council during the 28th Ordinary Session of the General Assembly, held in Rabat in July 2024. That election placed Saudi Arabia in a leadership position at a pivotal moment for regional aviation.

Under the chairmanship of Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, the Executive Council has pursued a reform-oriented agenda. One notable development is the expansion of the council’s membership from nine to eleven members, a change that Al-Duailej described as a significant step toward increasing the involvement of Arab countries in vital decisions that advance the civil aviation sector. The expansion reflects a broader recognition that aviation policy decisions increasingly require input from a wider range of stakeholders, particularly as air travel demand grows and new routes connect Arab states with markets in Asia, Africa, and Europe. The 71st session thus built on a foundation of institutional strengthening and consensus-building that has characterized the council’s work over the past year.

The meeting also took place against the backdrop of a global aviation industry navigating post-pandemic recovery, supply chain constraints, and the imperative to decarbonize. Arab states, many of which are investing heavily in aviation infrastructure as part of national economic diversification strategies, have a strong interest in shaping international standards rather than merely adopting them. The ACAO Executive Council provides a platform for that agenda, and Saudi Arabia’s chairmanship gives the Kingdom a prominent voice in setting the regional tone. The session in Rabat was therefore both a continuation of ongoing technical work and a statement of intent about the region’s ambitions in the skies.

Key Details

In his address to the council, Al-Duailej emphasized the ACAO’s pivotal role in supporting the Arab region’s civil aviation sector. He highlighted the organization’s effective initiatives that enhance air safety, develop air connectivity, and support the sustainable growth of the aviation industry regionally. These priorities align with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) global standards and reflect a shared Arab commitment to maintaining high levels of safety and efficiency. The chairman called for increased coordination among member states to achieve unified Arab decisions and greater collaboration with regional and international organizations, stressing that collective action is essential to addressing the sector’s evolving challenges.

Al-Duailej’s remarks included a clear articulation of the link between aviation and broader economic development. He noted that cooperation among member states aims to address the growing challenges facing the aviation sector, ensure its sustainability, and maintain its vital role in achieving economic development. He further emphasized how such cooperation supports tourism, creates job opportunities, strengthens trade ties, and fosters growth and prosperity across the Arab region. This framing positions civil aviation not simply as a transport mode but as an enabler of economic diversification, cultural exchange, and regional integration. The chairman also commended the expansion of the Executive Council’s membership from nine to eleven members, underlining the importance of civil aviation as a cornerstone of sustainable development in the region.

The session welcomed ministers, heads of delegations from member states, and representatives from the Arab League, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The participation of the Arab League underscores the intersection between aviation policy and wider Arab diplomatic and economic cooperation. Discussions at the 71st session are expected to feed into the organization’s ongoing work programs, including technical assistance for member states, harmonization of regulations, and joint positions in international aviation negotiations. The meeting also provided an opportunity for bilateral exchanges among delegations on issues such as route expansion, airport capacity, and the adoption of new technologies in air traffic management.

International and Regional Impact

How will the decisions taken in Rabat reverberate beyond the Arab world? The ACAO Executive Council’s work has implications for international airlines, aircraft manufacturers, and global aviation bodies. A more coordinated Arab bloc can present unified positions on issues such as emissions reduction, passenger rights, and airspace management in forums like ICAO. For international carriers operating in the Middle East, greater regulatory harmonization could reduce complexity and open new route opportunities. The expansion of the council’s membership also signals a willingness to bring more voices into decision-making, which may lead to more inclusive policies that reflect the diversity of the region’s aviation markets, from large hubs to emerging airports.

Regionally, the session reinforces a trend toward deeper aviation integration among Arab states. Improved air connectivity is a prerequisite for expanding trade, tourism, and people-to-people ties. Saudi Arabia’s chairmanship of the Executive Council, combined with its own ambitious aviation strategy, positions the Kingdom as a bridge between Arab states and the wider world. The Kingdom’s investments in new airports, national carriers, and air routes are designed not only to serve domestic demand but also to facilitate regional and international travel. The Rabat session therefore contributes to a broader vision of the Arab region as a connected, competitive, and sustainable aviation market.

Economic and Strategic Significance

What does effective Arab civil aviation cooperation mean for economic growth? Aviation is a significant contributor to GDP, employment, and trade across the Arab world. By enhancing air safety and connectivity, the ACAO’s initiatives help lower the cost of doing business, attract foreign investment, and support the tourism sector, which many Arab economies are prioritizing as a source of jobs and foreign exchange. Al-Duailej’s emphasis on job creation, trade ties, and prosperity reflects an understanding that aviation policy is economic policy. The 71st session’s focus on sustainability also addresses the long-term viability of the sector, ensuring that growth does not come at the expense of environmental responsibility.

For Saudi Arabia, leadership in the ACAO Executive Council complements its domestic aviation ambitions. The Kingdom is investing in a major expansion of its aviation capacity, including new airlines, airport upgrades, and technology-driven improvements in air traffic management. These efforts are intended to support the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy, increase non-oil revenues, and position the Kingdom as a global logistics and tourism hub. Chairing the ACAO Executive Council allows Saudi Arabia to share its experience, learn from partners, and help shape a regional regulatory environment that supports these objectives. The strategic significance of the Rabat session thus extends beyond the meeting room to the broader project of Arab economic modernization.

Vision 2030 Alignment

How does Saudi Arabia’s role at the ACAO connect to Vision 2030? Vision 2030 aims to transform the Kingdom into a diversified economy with a thriving private sector, a vibrant tourism industry, and world-class infrastructure. Civil aviation is a critical enabler of these goals, facilitating the movement of people, goods, and ideas. By chairing the ACAO Executive Council and advocating for stronger regional coordination, Saudi Arabia is helping to build an aviation ecosystem that supports tourism growth, trade expansion, and job creation across the Arab world. The Kingdom’s leadership in this arena reflects its commitment to international cooperation and its belief that shared challenges require shared solutions.

The 71st session in Rabat is a testament to Saudi Arabia’s constructive engagement in multilateral institutions. Under the chairmanship of Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, the Executive Council has advanced a forward-looking agenda that balances safety, sustainability, and economic development. As the Arab region’s aviation sector continues to grow, the decisions taken in Rabat will help ensure that growth is safe, efficient, and inclusive. For international audiences, the session offers a clear example of how Saudi Arabia is using its leadership positions to foster regional prosperity and global connectivity, in line with the aspirations of Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s enduring role as a bridge between continents.

20 Questions

Q1. What was the main purpose of the 71st session of the ACAO Executive Council?

A1. The session aimed to advance Arab civil aviation cooperation, focusing on air safety, connectivity, and sustainable growth. It brought together ministers and delegations to coordinate policies and strengthen the organization’s regional and international role.

Q2. Who chaired the 71st session of the ACAO Executive Council?

A2. Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, President of the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and Chairman of the ACAO Executive Council, chaired the session in Rabat, Morocco, on December 24, 2024.

Q3. Where was the 71st session held?

A3. The session was held in Rabat, Morocco, the headquarters city of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization. Rabat also hosted the 28th Ordinary Session of the General Assembly in July 2024.

Q4. What is the Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO)?

A4. The ACAO is a regional intergovernmental body that coordinates civil aviation policies among Arab states. It works on safety, security, sustainability, and air transport liberalization, and cooperates with international aviation organizations.

Q5. How did Saudi Arabia come to chair the ACAO Executive Council?

A5. Saudi Arabia was unanimously elected as chair of the ACAO Executive Council during the 28th Ordinary Session of the General Assembly held in Rabat in July 2024. This reflects the Kingdom’s leadership in regional aviation.

Q6. What did Al-Duailej emphasize in his speech?

A6. He emphasized the ACAO’s pivotal role in supporting Arab civil aviation, highlighting initiatives that enhance air safety, develop air connectivity, and support sustainable growth. He called for increased coordination among member states.

Q7. What did Al-Duailej say about coordination among member states?

A7. He called for increased coordination to achieve unified Arab decisions and greater collaboration with regional and international organizations, aiming to address challenges and ensure the sector’s sustainability and economic role.

Q8. What was the significance of expanding the Executive Council’s membership?

A8. The expansion from nine to eleven members was described by Al-Duailej as a significant step toward increasing the involvement of Arab countries in vital decisions that advance the civil aviation sector.

Q9. How does civil aviation contribute to economic development in the Arab region?

A9. According to Al-Duailej, civil aviation cooperation supports tourism, creates job opportunities, strengthens trade ties, and fosters growth and prosperity across the Arab region, making it a cornerstone of sustainable development.

Q10. Which organizations and officials participated in the session?

A10. The session welcomed ministers, heads of delegations from member states, and representatives from the Arab League, according to the Saudi Press Agency, reflecting broad regional engagement.

Q11. What are the key priorities of the ACAO under Saudi chairmanship?

A11. Key priorities include enhancing air safety, developing air connectivity, supporting sustainable growth, and strengthening coordination among member states and with international partners to address sector challenges.

Q12. How does the session relate to Saudi Vision 2030?

A12. Saudi Arabia’s leadership in the ACAO supports Vision 2030 by promoting regional aviation integration, which enables tourism growth, trade expansion, and job creation, aligning with the Kingdom’s economic diversification goals.

Q13. What is the role of the Arab League in this context?

A13. The Arab League’s participation underscores the link between aviation policy and broader Arab economic and diplomatic cooperation, highlighting how aviation development supports regional integration and prosperity.

Q14. What challenges facing the aviation sector were discussed?

A14. The discussions addressed growing challenges such as sustainability, safety, and the need to maintain aviation’s vital role in economic development, requiring coordinated efforts among member states and international partners.

Q15. How does the ACAO cooperate with international organizations?

A15. The ACAO collaborates with international partners, including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), to align regional policies with global standards and present unified Arab positions in international forums.

Q16. What benefits does regional aviation cooperation bring to international travelers?

A16. Greater regulatory harmonization and improved connectivity can lead to more route options, smoother travel experiences, and enhanced safety standards, benefiting international travelers and airlines operating in the region.

Q17. What is the significance of Saudi Arabia chairing the Executive Council?

A17. It positions Saudi Arabia at the center of regional aviation policymaking, allowing the Kingdom to share its expertise, shape regulations, and promote an agenda that supports Vision 2030 and Arab economic modernization.

Q18. How does the session support tourism in the Arab region?

A18. By enhancing air connectivity and safety, the ACAO’s work facilitates tourism growth. Al-Duailej noted that cooperation supports tourism, which is a key economic sector for many Arab countries.

Q19. What are the next steps following the 71st session?

A19. The outcomes will inform ongoing ACAO work programs, including technical assistance, regulatory harmonization, and joint positions in international negotiations, as member states continue to implement agreed initiatives.

Q20. Why is the 71st session important for the future of Arab civil aviation?

A20. It reinforces a unified Arab approach to aviation challenges, strengthens institutional cooperation, and sets a forward-looking agenda that supports safety, sustainability, and economic growth across the region.

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