The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), the regulator of Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation sector, has signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) with Lilium GmbH, a German company that specializes in vertical take-off and landing aircraft (VOTL), to accelerate the kingdom’s advanced air mobility.
The purpose of this agreement is to establish a regulatory framework for advanced air mobility in Saudi Arabia. The signing took place during GACA’s participation in “the Farnborough International Airshow 2024” in the UK.
This agreement will bolster GACA’s partnerships with international firms to promote and support air mobility applications within Saudi Arabia. It comes in line with GACA’s goal of promoting air traffic growth through regulations that also prioritize safety, security and protection of passengers.
Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, President of GACA, stressed that the MoC shows GACA’s commitment to supporting the innovative as well as sustainable air mobility solutions, in order to attain the goals of the National Aviation Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030.
Al-Duailej stated that working with leading global manufacturers is essential to develop a robust regulatory framework. This framework will guarantee safe and efficient operation of VOTL aircraft and other advanced air mobility applications, and this partnership forms a part of the sector’s effort to enhance the sustainability and environmental preservation initiatives.
Al Duailej also noted that this month, Saudi Group entered into a deal with Lilium to buy 100 electric aircraft. The new aircraft will guarantee unprecedented solutions and new routes to connect the pilgrims to Makkah during the Hajj and Umrah seasons. They’ll also allow visitors to quickly reach sports events, entertainment venues, tourist attractions, and mega projects linked to Saudi Vision 2030.
