These contracts were concluded in IATA Air Day Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to be held in Jeddah from May 6-7, 2025.
In the early stages, more than 1,000 aviation alumni and employees receive comprehensive skills training, covering a wide range of areas including airport development, safety, airline management, and ground operations.
Today, Aviation has donated US$90.6 billion (8.5%) to Saudi Arabia's GDP, supporting 1.4 million jobs. Of these, 62,000 are employed directly by airlines, and 79,000 are employed by the national airports and air navigation service providers (ANSPs). This contribution is expected to increase significantly over the next few years as travel and tourism serve as one of the key pillars of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. To support this growth, the kingdom is committed to investing heavily in airport infrastructure and fleet renewals.
“The Saudi Arabia aviation sector is undergoing unprecedented growth and transformation. The Kingdom is not only expanding its aviation infrastructure, but also investing in people. This is essential to develop a professional workforce while developing a professional workforce that can work on Vision 2030. Al Awadi, Regional Vice President of Africa and the Middle East, Iata.
The training contracts concluded in 2025 are as follows:
Riyadh Airports Company and Qassim University will become regional training partners, with longtime regional training partner Prince Sultan Aviation Academy (PSAA) adding additional courses. The three entities offer over 60 training courses covering airport development and operation, safety, commercial, talent skills and ground operations.
IATA offers industry awareness courses to graduates of Riyadh Airlines and Saudi Arabia airlines aimed at attracting and nurturing citizen talent for future leadership roles within airlines.
IATA provides hazardous material courses to the management and operational personnel of the Saudi Arabian Aviation Academy (SACA).
Sal Saudi Logistics Services is accredited as a CBTA Centre, and Saudi Arabia Ground Services (SGS) has updated both the CBTA Centre and the ground operations training programme of both the Training Verification Programme (TVP).
