The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) (Arabic: الهيئة العامة للطيران المدني) is the regulator of Saudi Arabia's civil aviation sector. It was established in 1934 as the Civil Aviation Administration (Arabic: إدارة الطيران المدني) to oversee the air traffic control of Saudi Arabia.
| الهيئة العامة للطيران المدني | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1934 |
| Jurisdiction | Government of Saudi Arabia |
| Headquarters | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 21°31′30″N 39°13′6″E / 21.52500°N 39.21833°E |
| Agency executive |
|
| Parent department | Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services |
| Website | www |
It is responsible for regulation of air transport services and the implementation of civil air regulations, air safety and airworthiness standards. It also co-ordinates all regulatory functions with International Civil Aviation Organization. The GACA headquarters is in Riyadh.
History
The GACA emerged from the Presidency of Civil Aviation (PCA; مصلحة الطيران المدني) that was created when the institution controlling aviation was split into a civil department and the Royal Saudi Air Force. The Presidency of Civil Aviation was among others also in charge of the Saudi Arabian Airlines and the Meteorology Department. The Saudi Arabian Airlines was split from the Presidency of Civil Aviation in 1960 and became an independent public institution in 1963.
In 2004, The Presidency was reconstituted as a public body with its own legal identity and with financial and administrative independence, functioning in accordance with commercial principles and standards. The name of the Presidency of Civil Aviation was also changed to General Authority of Civil Aviation.
In late December 2011 the GACA was separated from the Ministry of Defense and was attached directly to King Abdullah to grant the Authority further independence. Following this reorganization King Abdullah appointed Prince Fahd bin Abdullah bin Mohammed as the head of the GACA.
The former president of GACA was Nabeel Al Amoudi also was the minister of transport. Then Abdulhadi Al Mansouri was appointed as president. In 2021, Abdulaziz Al-Duailej was appointed head of the GACA.
Activities
GACA aims to create "a leading civil aviation ecosystem" by ensuring four strategic objectives: highest levels of safety and security, environmental sustainability, sector growth and competitiveness, and strategy activation and new technology adoption in KSA aviation.
To this end, GACA carries out a range of routine functions including but not limited to setting the standards in civil aviation regarding aviation safety, tariffs, passenger rights, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), environment sustainability, and ground handling and air cargo services, licensing of aviation service providers, monitoring the civil aviation industry and reporting.
GACA also oversees the protection of air travelers’ interests through an extensive regulatory framework, including the New Passenger Rights Protection Regulations that entered into force on 20 November 2023. This framework, together with its accompanying policies, is regarded as broadly comparable to the EU Regulation 261/2004 in its establishment of clear and comprehensive rules governing multiple aspects of air travel. It sets out passengers’ rights and entitlements, establishing a framework to address numerous situations that may occur during travel, including flight disruptions, downgrades, and matters involving passengers with special needs. It also defines all compensation levels in Special Drawing Rights (SDR), allowing the amounts to adjust automatically over time in line with changes in the value of the reserve asset.
Notable People
- Abdulhakim Al-Tamimi (living), politician and President and Minister of the General Authority of Civil Aviation
See also
- Matarat Holding Company
- Rabigh Wings Aviation Academy
- Saudi Aviation Club
- History of women in aviation in Saudi Arabia
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