Gate Alliance Delegation 2024
Market Exploration Trip Aviation Sector in Saudi Arabia
The large-scale expansion of air traffic infrastructure offers numerous opportunities for German companies. Given the vast market opportunities, GESALO together with the German Airport Technology and Equipment e.V. (Gate Alliance) organized a market exploration trip from 13.11 to 14.11.2024.
As part of the trip, a delegation of 8 German companies from the aviation sector visited the airport developers and operators JEDCO (Jeddah Airport), Riyadh Airport, and Cluster 2 as well as the responsible state regulator MATARAT Holding and Saudia Airlines. The high-ranking representatives of the respective institutions and stakeholders presented the current expansion plans of their airports, as well as specific logistical challenges and the need for foreign know-how and technology. Digitalization concepts, management of passenger numbers and expansion projects were the focus of the discussion.
The high-ranking representatives of the respective institutions and stakeholders presented the current expansion plans of their airports, as well as specific logistical challenges and the need for foreign know-how and technology. Digitalization concepts, management of passenger numbers and expansion projects were the focus of the discussion.
The delegation also had the chance to gain insights into the current infrastructure expansion of passenger and freight transport by air, water and land during a logistics roundtable at the Jeddah Chamber. Following the roundtable, the participants had the opportunity for networking with logistics companies in the Saudi airport industry. In a roundtable discussion in the GESALO office in Riyadh established German companies in Riyadh gave the delegation participants valuable advice and shared experiences on strategies to enter the Saudi market.
Vision 2030 - Airport sector
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 is an ambitious plan to holistically transform the Kingdom. A central goal of the vision is to develop the country into a major international aviation hub. The Kingdom plans to invest 100 billion US dollars by 2030 to expand the capacities of its aviation infrastructure accordingly.
In addition to the modernization and expansion of existing airports, Saudi Arabia is also planning to build new airports, such as NEOM International Airport, NEOM Bay Airport, King Salman International Airport Riyadh, Red Sea International Airports and the Jubail Industrial City Airport, which is still in the planning stage. For four of these projects, implementation is planned in the form of public-private partnerships (PPP), which are to be managed by Matarat Holding, a subsidiary of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).
The aim of this massive infrastructure expansion is to increase annual passenger capacity six-fold from the current 48.7 million to 330 million. At the same time, direct connections to Saudi Arabia are to be increased from 100 to 250. There is also an ambitious target of 4.5 million tons for air freight capacity. This is not only supposed to diversify the economy, but also position the Kingdom as an important hub for trade, business and tourism.
Electrification/ decarbonization, automation, biometrical data, digitalization, as well as process optimization constitute current focus areas.
[1] https://www.timesaerospace.aero/news/business-and-finance/saudi-aviation-records-strongest-year-in-2023; www.gtai.de/de/trade/saudi-arabien/branchen/flughafenkapazitaeten-sollen-verdoppelt-werden-861636
German pavilion at the Saudi Airport Exhibition
From November 11th-12th, in advance to the trip, the delegation participants exhibited at the Saudi Airport Exhibition in Riyadh together with other member companies of the Gate Alliance trade association. Dr. Dalia Samra-Rohte, Delegate of German Industry & Commerce for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Yemen, together with Lisa Freisewinkel, GTAI Research Manager and DEinternational Consultant, visited the individual German exhibitors.
Outlook
The airport sector is developing rapidly and offers a wide range of opportunities for German companies to participate in its expansion. For December 2025, Gate Alliance and GESALO are planning the next delegation trip to Saudi Arabia.
Don't miss your opportunity to strategically position your company in the Saudi aviation sector and contact us now!
