The aviation regulators of Saudi Arabia, General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and CAA International (CAAi), part of the UK CAA, have signed a pact to enhance Saudi Arabia’s aviation safety regulatory frameworks in line with global best practice. This agreement builds on a memorandum of understanding signed in 2018 between the UK CAA and GACA on civil aviation technical cooperation and subsequent projects on Economic Regulation and Air Navigation Service Oversight.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, president of the General Authority of Civil Aviation said: “GACA is committed to delivering world-class regulations that improve passenger safety and the passenger experience. This project is an example of how we are transforming our regulations to enable growth in line with the Saudi Aviation Strategy and in support of Vision 2030.”
Sulaiman Almuhaimedi, executive vice president of safety & aviation standards at GACA, added: “We look forward to partnering with the UK CAA on this important project and bringing the best of global aviation safety regulations to the Kingdom for the benefit of passengers and our aviation industry.”
Ben Alcott, International Director at the UK CAA, said: “It is an honour to strengthen cooperation arrangements with GACA. The UK CAA looks forward to working with our regulatory counterparts at GACA and assisting Saudi Arabia to deliver its vision and goals for air transport.”
GACA has recently launched an Aviation Standards Optimization programme to apply world-leading aviation safety standards and enhance the passenger experience. CAAi and GACA intend to support this programme by examining global best-practice regulatory frameworks for aviation safety and making recommendations to enhance the State Safety Programme and National Aviation Safety Plan.