The Future Aviation Forum (FAF) is set to return to Riyadh from May 20-22, 2024, convening 5,000 experts and aviation leaders from over 100 countries. This gathering, hosted by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of Saudi Arabia under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, will focus on finding solutions to the aviation sector’s primary challenges centered on the theme: Elevating Global Connectivity. Attendees will have the opportunity to vote in person on what they perceive as the biggest challenge in aviation, with results to be announced on the final day.

During the previous edition of the Forum in 2022, more than 50 agreements were signed, amounting to $2.7 billion in deals. FAF24 is expected to feature significant commercial announcements, including equipment orders, connectivity announcements, supplier partnerships, and awards ceremonies recognizing achievements and innovation in aviation.

His Excellency Abdulaziz-Al Duailej, President of GACA, expressed the importance of addressing manufacturing supply chain issues, capacity constraints, and the development of human capital in aviation, “The 2024 Future Aviation Forum will once again unite global aviation leaders to solve aviation’s biggest challenges, including manufacturing supply chain issues, capacity constraints and the development of human capital across the world. Saudi Arabia is committed to providing global leadership on these issues.”

FAF24 coincides with a monumental week for aviation regulators and leaders in the Kingdom, as it plays host to the Airport Council International’s annual general assembly and other sector events. Notable attendees include:

• leading global manufacturers
• airlines such as Riyadh Air, Saudia, Flynas, and Flyadeal
• Saudi Vision 2030 projects like NEOM and Red Sea Global

The Forum will advance the Saudi Aviation Strategy’s (SAS) goal of transforming the Kingdom into the Middle East’s leading aviation hub. The strategy, backed by over $100 billion in investment, aims to drive substantial growth in the sector, with passenger numbers reaching 112 million in 2023 and flights increasing to almost 815,000.

Source: General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of Saudi Arabia