Montreal: Saudi Arabia's Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) Chairman Saleh Al-Jasser affirmed the nation's leading role in the global aviation sector during the 42nd General Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal, Canada. He announced a $1 million donation from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to support the ICAO's "No Country Left Behind" program for the 2025-2028 cycle. This initiative aims to assist developing countries in implementing civil aviation safety and security standards.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Al-Jasser emphasized Saudi Arabia's influential position in both regional and international aviation arenas, highlighting its top ranking in aviation safety and security. He mentioned the Kingdom's strong cooperative relations with ICAO and its active involvement in shaping global aviation policies and practices.
The minister also showcased the Kingdom's ambitious aviation program, which is a significant component of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy. The program aims to transport over 330 million passengers annually by 2030, establish connections to 250 international destinations, attract investments exceeding $100 billion, and develop crucial infrastructure such as King Salman International Airport with a capacity of 120 million passengers. Additionally, the program includes training over 50,000 professionals in the aviation sector by 2030.
Al-Jasser noted the substantial economic impact of the aviation sector, contributing over $53 billion to the GDP and providing one million job opportunities. He also mentioned Saudi Arabia's role in hosting significant international events, like the ICAO Air Services Negotiation Event (ICAN2023) and the ICAO Facilitation 2024 Global Summit.
In line with its commitment to sustainability, the Kingdom aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 through investments in low-carbon infrastructure, fleet modernization, and the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels. Al-Jasser cited the Red Sea International Airport as a global sustainability model, operating entirely on renewable energy. He also mentioned the planned introduction of an autonomous air taxi for Hajj 2024 as part of the Kingdom's innovative initiatives.
On the topic of regional integration, Al-Jasser highlighted Saudi Arabia's leadership role as the chair of the Executive Council of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO) and its hosting of the official headquarters of the Cooperative Aviation Security Program - Middle East (CASP-MID).
He extended an invitation to all member states to participate in the fourth edition of the Future of Aviation Conference, scheduled to take place in Riyadh from April 20 to 22, 2026.