Global Airports Forum Highlights Saudi Arabia’s Emergence as a Leading Aviation Powerhouse
Riyadh’s expanded aviation forum underscores the Kingdom’s rapid infrastructure growth and ambitions to become a central global aviation hub
Saudi Arabia’s ascent as a major force in global aviation was thrust into the spotlight at the recently expanded Global Airports Forum in Riyadh, drawing industry leaders, government officials and international exhibitors to discuss strategic developments and future opportunities.
The fourth edition of the forum, now significantly larger in scale, reflects the Kingdom’s rapid investment in airport infrastructure, policy reforms and aviation capacity expansion as part of its Vision 2030 economic transformation drive.
Saudi aviation authorities and private partners have accelerated projects to upgrade existing airports, build new facilities and integrate cutting-edge technologies aimed at enhancing connectivity and operational efficiency across passenger and cargo networks.
This concerted push has been supported by record passenger growth and expanding international flight services, laying the foundation for Saudi Arabia’s evolving role in global air transport.
The forum, held in mid-December at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre, doubled its exhibition space and attracted more than ten thousand participants, three hundred exhibitors from over one hundred countries and more than one thousand buyers from Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East.
Over five thousand pre-scheduled business meetings and contributions from more than one hundred international speakers underscored the event’s role as a nexus for industry dialogue on digitalisation, connectivity, sustainability and airport innovation.
Organisers also scheduled recognitions to celebrate excellence in operations, innovation and transformative contributions within the sector.
The forum’s growth parallels Saudi Arabia’s broader plans to triple its aviation capacity by two thousand thirty, driven by upcoming global events including the World Expo and major sporting tournaments that will position the Kingdom as a gateway between regional and global markets.
Saudi aviation executives highlighted significant recent gains, including expanding airport capacities, the induction of new international routes, and a growing footprint for foreign carriers in the Kingdom’s skies.
These achievements are complemented by initiatives to enhance air navigation systems, improve safety and sustainability performance, and cultivate a skilled aviation workforce.
Stakeholders noted that the forum’s expanded scale reflected confidence in the Kingdom’s strategic direction and its commitment to fostering innovation, investment and international partnership.
With ambitious goals for passenger and cargo throughput, Saudi Arabia is advancing efforts to solidify its position as a leading global aviation hub, reinforcing its economic diversification and connectivity objectives well into the coming decade.
The fourth edition of the forum, now significantly larger in scale, reflects the Kingdom’s rapid investment in airport infrastructure, policy reforms and aviation capacity expansion as part of its Vision 2030 economic transformation drive.
Saudi aviation authorities and private partners have accelerated projects to upgrade existing airports, build new facilities and integrate cutting-edge technologies aimed at enhancing connectivity and operational efficiency across passenger and cargo networks.
This concerted push has been supported by record passenger growth and expanding international flight services, laying the foundation for Saudi Arabia’s evolving role in global air transport.
The forum, held in mid-December at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre, doubled its exhibition space and attracted more than ten thousand participants, three hundred exhibitors from over one hundred countries and more than one thousand buyers from Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East.
Over five thousand pre-scheduled business meetings and contributions from more than one hundred international speakers underscored the event’s role as a nexus for industry dialogue on digitalisation, connectivity, sustainability and airport innovation.
Organisers also scheduled recognitions to celebrate excellence in operations, innovation and transformative contributions within the sector.
The forum’s growth parallels Saudi Arabia’s broader plans to triple its aviation capacity by two thousand thirty, driven by upcoming global events including the World Expo and major sporting tournaments that will position the Kingdom as a gateway between regional and global markets.
Saudi aviation executives highlighted significant recent gains, including expanding airport capacities, the induction of new international routes, and a growing footprint for foreign carriers in the Kingdom’s skies.
These achievements are complemented by initiatives to enhance air navigation systems, improve safety and sustainability performance, and cultivate a skilled aviation workforce.
Stakeholders noted that the forum’s expanded scale reflected confidence in the Kingdom’s strategic direction and its commitment to fostering innovation, investment and international partnership.
With ambitious goals for passenger and cargo throughput, Saudi Arabia is advancing efforts to solidify its position as a leading global aviation hub, reinforcing its economic diversification and connectivity objectives well into the coming decade.
