Saudi Arabia Signs Agreement with IATA to Establish Regional Headquarters
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has signed an agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to establish a regional headquarters in the country. The signing of the agreement was announced during the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference held in Riyadh in October 2019.
The new headquarters, which is expected to open in 2021, will serve as a hub for IATA`s operations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The IATA regional office in Saudi Arabia will provide support for airlines, airports, travel agents, and other aviation stakeholders through various services, including training, safety and security, and regulatory compliance.
The agreement is a significant development for Saudi Arabia`s aviation industry, which has been growing rapidly in recent years. The country`s two largest airlines, Saudia and flynas, have been expanding their fleets and adding new destinations, while the government has been investing in infrastructure to support the aviation sector.
“The IATA regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia will help to support the growth of the country`s aviation industry, by providing a central hub for aviation stakeholders in the region,” said Muhammad Al-Khuzaim, Director General of the Saudi Arabian General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). “We are pleased to welcome IATA to Saudi Arabia and look forward to collaborating with them to enhance the safety, security, and efficiency of aviation in the region.”
In addition to the new regional headquarters, IATA is also working with Saudi Arabia on various other initiatives aimed at promoting the aviation sector. These include the development of a cargo community system, which will integrate air cargo logistics across the country`s airports, and the implementation of the New Distribution Capability (NDC) standard, which will enhance airline retailing capabilities and improve the travel experience.
The agreement between Saudi Arabia and IATA is a positive step towards promoting the growth of the aviation industry in the Middle East and North Africa region. With its new regional headquarters and various other initiatives, IATA is well-positioned to support the development of the sector in the coming years.