RIYADH — Minister of Transport and Logistics Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser revealed that there will be major updates and legislative reforms in the Civil Aviation Law, aimed at achieving the goals of the National Civil Aviation Strategy in terms of 300 million passengers and 250 destinations across the world. He said that these legislative reforms are pertaining to major sectors such as economic regulations, customer services, and airspace management, which will be undertaken in coordination with all the competent authorities concerned with ground handling services at airports and the field of catering, maintenance and security services. Addressing a press conference on the sidelines of the Future Aviation Forum in Riyadh on Monday, Al-Jasser said that the ministry also focuses on strategies related to tourism, and Hajj and Umrah sectors. "Saudi Arabia is working to either build or expand many airports, including King Salman International Airport in Riyadh, which will be one of the largest airports in the world and its capacity is expected to reach 100 million passengers by 2030, as well as King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Red Sea International Airport, which opened recently, and the new NEOM International Airport. Al-Jasser said that expansions are underway in various airports and many lounges have been opened during the recent period. Works are progressing for new airports including those in Jazan, Al-Baha, and Al-Jouf, in addition to the major expansion of Prince Muhammad bin Abdulaziz Airport in Madinah, which was announced in partnership with the private sector, with a capacity to handle 17 million passengers. Al-Jasser said that there are other giant investment projects in the aviation sector. These included the new "Riyadh Air," wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund. It was announced a new deal for the acquisition of more than 78 wide-body aircraft for the new airline, which has great ambitions with more acquisitions by the time of the launch of its maiden flights in 2025. The minister said that the Saudi Arabian Airlines will unify its operations and establish a main aviation hub from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, by employing all of its current fleet, which exceeds 150 aircraft. The national carrier announced new deals for 40 wide-body aircraft, in addition to the announcement on Monday about its deal for 105 narrow-body aircraft.
