The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has announced record-breaking performance for the Kingdom’s aviation sector, showcasing major growth across cargo and passenger operations as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 transport transformation.
Between January and September 2025, Saudi airports handled 866,000 tonnes of air cargo, comprising 567,000 tonnes of origin-and-destination freight and 299,000 tonnes of transit shipments. The growth reflects the strong contribution of Saudia Cargo’s expanding global network, supported by strategic partnerships with TAM Group, WFS, Cainiao, China Cargo Airlines, and FedEx.
Over the same period, Saudi airports welcomed 103.1 million passengers, marking a 9% year-on-year increase, while flight movements rose by 5% to 713,000. The Kingdom’s air connectivity now spans more than 170 destinations worldwide, underscoring its ambition to become a leading global logistics and aviation hub under the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS).
The latest figures were presented during the 18th Aviation Programme Steering Committee (SteerCo) meeting, chaired by GACA President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej and attended by Ahmed Al-Hassan, Assistant Minister of Transport and Logistics. The meeting, hosted by Saudia Cargo CEO Loay Mashabi, reviewed progress in charter, private, and logistics operations.
Saudi Arabia’s recent re-election to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council for the 2026–2028 term — with 175 votes out of 184 — was described as a global endorsement of the Kingdom’s aviation leadership, safety record, and commitment to sustainable air transport.
Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, President of GACA, said:
“Saudi aviation is delivering sustained passenger and connectivity growth in support of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 agenda, providing unprecedented investment opportunities for the global aviation sector.
Our re-election to the ICAO Council reflects Saudi Arabia’s constructive role in strengthening international partnerships and driving global connectivity.”
These achievements further highlight Saudi Arabia’s accelerated progress in transforming its aviation ecosystem — from infrastructure and regulation to digitalisation and sustainability — positioning the Kingdom as a central hub for global air transport and logistics.