The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) said it is working through its offices on projects to ensure the security and safety of capacity building in addition to organizing air traffic in the Middle East, amid expectations of an increase in the number of passengers at an average rate of 4,640 flights by 2045.
The two-day Global Aviation Summit 2019, held in Riyadh, revealed that Saudi Arabia and UAE would need more than 2,000 air traffic controllers by 2033 due to an expected rise in passenger numbers.
Regional Director of ICAO Middle East Office Mohamed Rahma noted that aviation contributes to 50 percent of the countries’ GDP.
In the region, the total number of passengers reached 310 million in 2018, a 4.6 percent growth, he said, adding that the industry’s growth in the Kingdom stood at 8.6 percent.
Speaking about the role of international organizations in the culture of safety and security in the aviation sector’s future, Head of the Italian Delegation at (ICAO) Salvatore Sciacchitano described the issue as complex.
The aviation industry faces many challenges, which compel a consolidation in the role of regional and international organizations in the field, he said.
Abdul Wahab Teffaha, the Secretary General of Arab Air Carriers Organization, said that the use of artificial intelligence gives travelers a better experience.
Eng. Abdennebi Manar, the Director General of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization, also spoke at the summit, saying air traffic has significantly contributed to the region’s economy.
He added that the goal is to push forward in ICAO's work-plan.
Manar continued that some ideas would help organizations support the technology and facilitate the management of this mounting quantity of travelers.
Regional Director of Eastern & Southern African Regional Office (ESAF) at ICAO Barry Kashambo stressed the importance of ICAO in guaranteeing the assessment policies and mutual understating among regional offices.
Kashambo lauded ICAO’s role in the aviation industry's growth from the African perspective and others.
