Saudi Arabia plays a leadership role in ensuring the prosperity of the aviation sector in coming years, said Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) President Abdulaziz al-Duailej.

Speaking at the Future Aviation Forum, Duailej reiterated the importance of joint efforts to face future crises and end economic difficulties facing international travel.

He said the only way to implement it was through permanent cooperation that can collectively enable the industry to respond to any future epidemic and its impacts on businesses.

He explained that the global economy had relied on itself in the international and local aviation industry, adding that before the pandemic, the sector had generated $1 trillion of economic activity.

Duailej said that cooperation should be established in coordinating reporting systems for all countries and forming the best digital communication systems to enable all aviation operators and governments to communicate effectively in real-time.

He also noted that it should include proper global administration and coordination systems that can enable flexibility when necessary and ensure the establishment of health compliance mechanisms.

“Aviation is the lifeline of the global economy, and it is crucial to safeguard it from future disruption. The Harmonizing Air Travel policy framework demonstrates the leadership role Saudi Arabia is taking to ensure that the sector thrives in the years to come,” he said.

The proposed Harmonizing Air Travel policy was designed in cooperation with the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

It aims to eradicate international travel confusion for passengers, carriers, and governments by creating a single, straightforward, up-to-date online resource setting out requirements for entry to all participating countries.

Saudi Arabia is very proud of the work that has been done in developing the travel policy framework, aiming to become the Middle East’s pre-eminent aviation hub, Duailej had said.

The Saudi aviation strategy targets 250 direct destinations to and from the Kingdom’s airports, inaugurated a new air carrier, and tripled air traffic.