DALLAS — At IATA’s Aviation Day MENA conference (May 6-7, 2025), the airline trade body announced new training agreements with Saudi carriers, airports, and educational institutions.
These partnerships will upskill over 1,000 Saudi aviation graduates and professionals in critical areas like airport development, safety, airline management, and ground operations.
According to the IATA press release, the goal of the agreement is to build a “professional workforce able to deliver on Vision 2030” for Saudi aviation.
Key new Agreements include:
- Riyadh Airports Co. & Qassim University (RTPs) have both become IATA Regional Training Partners, joining long-term partner Prince Sultan Aviation Academy (PSAA). Together, they will offer 60+ IATA-certified courses on airport planning, operations, safety, commercial skills, and human factors.
- Carrier Talent Programs—IATA will deliver industry awareness courses to Riyadh Air and Saudia Airlines graduates, aimed at attracting and nurturing Saudi nationals for future leadership in those airlines.
- Safety Courses at SACA—The Saudi Academy of Civil Aviation (SACA) will receive IATA Dangerous Goods Regulation training for its management and operations staff, bolstering its logistics and safety expertise.
- Logistics & Ground Handling- Saudi Logistics Services (SAL) is certified as an IATA Competency-Based Training % Assessment (CBTA) Centre. At the same time, Saudi Ground Services (SGS) has renewed its CBTA and training validation accreditations.
Vision 2030: Growing Demand for Skilled Talent
These training initiatives support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aviation ambitions. According to Economy Middle East, the Kingdom aims to become a global travel and tourism hub, targeting roughly 300 million annual air passengers by 2030 (including 100 million tourists) as part of its economic diversification strategy. The aviation sector already contributes about US$90.6 billion (8.5% of GDP) and 1.4 million jobs in Saudi Arabia.
However, hitting Vision 2030’s targets requires an even larger, highly skilled workforce. IATA notes that building a “digitally skilled”, agile workforce is essential for this growth. Riyad’s civil aviation authority also emphasizes talent development; funding scholarships, internships, and training programs to prepare Saudis for their bright aviation careers.
A Broader Gulf Training Push
Saudi Arabia’s latest training partnerships with IATA reflect a broader push across the Gulf to boost aviation expertise. Just last year, IATA expanded its presence in the region by opening a larger office and training hub in Abu Dhabi- a clear sign of the Middle East’s rising importance in global aviation. Airlines and governments across the region are following suit, with major players like Emirates (EK) and Qatar Airways (QR) already running their own pilot and engineering programs to meet future demand.
With these new initiatives, Saudi Arabia is stepping confidently into this regional trend. It aims to develop a strong talent pipeline to keep pace with its rapidly growing air travel industry. These programs aren’t just helpful—they are essential.
As the Kingdom works towards becoming a global aviation hub under Vision 2030, having a skilled and future-ready workforce is key. By investing in the education and training of future technicians, safety professionals, and industry leaders, Saudi Arabia is laying the groundwork to make the vision a reality.
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