Saudi Arabia Accelerates Aviation Sector Growth with Major IATA Training Partnerships

Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 strategy received another major boost this week as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced a series of pivotal training agreements aimed at bolstering the Kingdom’s aviation workforce. These landmark agreements, signed during the IATA Aviation Day Middle East and North Africa (MENA) event held in Jeddah on 6–7 May 2025, aim to equip over 1,000 Saudi aviation graduates and industry professionals with the critical skills necessary to sustain and accelerate the sector’s rapid expansion.

Strengthening Human Capital to Match Aviation Infrastructure Growth

Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector is experiencing a transformative era of growth. With air travel demand climbing and major investments in airport infrastructure and fleet modernization underway, the development of human capital has become a strategic priority. The Kingdom’s aviation industry currently contributes USD 90.6 billion to the national economy—equivalent to 8.5% of GDP—and supports 1.4 million jobs. This includes 62,000 individuals directly employed by airlines and 79,000 by airport operators and the national air navigation service provider (ANSP).

To meet the projected surge in travel and tourism—one of the cornerstones of Vision 2030—the Saudi government and aviation stakeholders are turning to advanced training and international collaboration. Kamil Al-Awadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, emphasized this point, stating, “Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector is undergoing unprecedented growth and transformation. The Kingdom is not only expanding its aviation infrastructure, but it is also investing in its people.”

Training Agreements: A Strategic Blueprint for Workforce Readiness

The newly concluded IATA agreements mark a significant milestone in shaping Saudi Arabia into a regional center of aviation excellence. The first phase will see the roll-out of more than 60 specialized training programs across three key institutions:

• Riyadh Airports Company and Qassim University will serve as IATA Regional Training Partners, expanding access to certified training in airport development, safety, commercial operations, ground services, and people management.

• Prince Sultan Aviation Academy (PSAA), a long-time Regional Training Partner, will add additional IATA courses to its curriculum, reinforcing its role as a premier aviation education provider in the region.

In parallel, targeted industry courses will be provided to young graduates at the Kingdom’s flagship carriers:

• Riyadh Air and Saudia Airlines will benefit from IATA industry awareness programs tailored to attract and nurture local talent for leadership roles within the airline sector.

Additional technical training efforts include:

• Saudi Academy of Civil Aviation (SACA) will receive Dangerous Goods Regulation (DGR) training for its management and operational teams, a crucial aspect of aviation safety and logistics.

• SAL Saudi Logistics Services has achieved IATA certification as a Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) Center, ensuring it meets global standards for training delivery.

• Saudi Ground Services (SGS) successfully renewed its CBTA Center status and its IATA Training Validation Program (TVP) certification for its ground operations training, reflecting a continued commitment to excellence in frontline service delivery.

Vision 2030: Aviation as a Catalyst for National Transformation

The drive to expand and professionalize Saudi Arabia’s aviation workforce is intrinsically linked to the broader goals of Vision 2030. As the Kingdom aspires to become a global logistics and tourism hub, having a highly skilled and adaptable workforce is essential. IATA’s partnership with local academic and training institutions will not only address immediate skill gaps but also establish long-term capacity to support ongoing aviation sector evolution.

Kamil Al-Awadhi underscored the strategic alignment: “IATA is working with the country’s training community as it establishes Saudi Arabia as a hub of aviation excellence.” The initiative is a clear signal of the Kingdom’s commitment to ensuring that its human capital grows in step with its world-class aviation infrastructure.

By integrating world-renowned training standards into national institutions, Saudi Arabia is laying the groundwork for a sustainable, innovation-driven aviation ecosystem—an essential pillar in its journey toward economic diversification and global competitiveness.