Historical Overview:

It is the authority responsible for civil aviation in the Kingdom. It was established in 1948 AD under the name “Civil Aviation Authority” to include both Saudi Airlines and the Civil Aviation Administration.

In 1959 AD, Saudi Airlines was separated from civil aviation, so the new name became “Directorate of Civil Aviation,” and in 1977 AD the name of “Directorate of Civil Aviation” was changed to “Presidency of Civil Aviation.”

In 2004 AD, the Presidency of Civil Aviation was transformed into a public authority with financial and administrative independence to operate according to commercial principles and standards, and since then its new name has become “General Authority of Civil Aviation”.

In 2011, it was separated from the Ministry of Defense, which gave it more independence and enabled it to develop the air transport industry in the Kingdom. In 2016, it was attached to the Ministry of Transport. In the same year, the legislative side was separated from the operational side of the General Authority, which aims to deepen its role as a legislator and regulator. For the air transport industry in the Kingdom.

The activities and tasks of the General Civil Aviation Authority are divided into three main sections:

Organizational tasks:

It consists of issuing and implementing international and local rules and regulations governing the civil aviation sector and the air transport industry in the Kingdom, including issuing licenses for all categories and forms of air transport activities and its supporting services.

Issuing the necessary licenses and permits for civil aviation for aircraft crews, maintenance stations, institutions and companies working in this field, and aviation schools.

Concluding bilateral air agreements between the Kingdom and other countries, and developing policies and controls to ensure airport security, air transport safety, and standards for operation and maintenance.

Laying the foundations for developing the revenues of the Kingdom’s airports and facilities, preserving those investments and encouraging investment opportunities in them.

Service tasks:

It includes establishing, managing, operating and maintaining air navigation systems, developing them, organizing air traffic, granting transit and landing permits, monitoring, inspection and auditing in the field of its jurisdiction over the operations of national and foreign international airlines and air transport companies in the Kingdom.

Operational tasks:

It consists of establishing, managing, operating, maintaining and developing civil airports, supporting them with basic equipment, and supervising airport workers.

Privatization of airports:

In 2022, all of the Kingdom’s 27 airports were transferred to the Authority’s Airports Holding Company. Until the Authority is legislated and organized, and all construction, operation and management work is transferred to Matarat Holding.

Sources

• General Authority of Civil Aviation.
• Matarat Holding.

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