Saudi Airport Exhibition 2024 Launches with Global Participation and Strategic Partnerships to Drive Aviation Sector Growth
Today, the Saudi Airport Exhibition in its third edition was inaugurated in Riyadh under the patronage of "Matarat Holding Company.“ The exhibition was inaugurated by the CEO of Matarat Holding, Mr. Raed Al-Idrisi, with the attendance of Mr. Ali Rajab, Deputy CEO of Air Transport and International Cooperation at the General Authority of Civil Aviation, and Eng. Ali Masrahi, President of "Cluster2."
The first day of the exhibition attracted over 4,500 participants from 70 countries, marking a 40% increase compared to last year. The event also hosted more than 500 delegations and 100 speakers, including leading experts and specialists in the aviation sector, with the participation of 257 companies renowned in aviation and airport industries. This strengthens the exhibition’s position as a global platform for networking, idea exchange, and exploring innovations and opportunities within the sector.
The exhibition also highlighted key projects spearheaded by "Matarat Holding" as part of its strategy to enhance passenger experiences and advance the airport sector in the Kingdom. Among these flagship projects is the "Traveler Without Baggage" program, aimed at facilitating travel and making the journey more comfortable. Additionally, the exhibition showcased privatization opportunities in Saudi airports, in line with the Kingdom’s vision to open the doors to local and international investments to boost operational efficiency. Furthermore, the event addressed the digital transformation journey within Saudi airports, which leverages the latest technologies to offer smart services, enhancing operational efficiency and providing a seamless and secure experience for travelers.
The event featured the "Global Aviation Issues Conference," which brought together experts to discuss key challenges and opportunities in the aviation sector, alongside the "Women in Aviation Conference," which highlighted the achievements and growing role of Saudi women in this vital field.
On the sidelines of the exhibition,"Cluster2," which manages 22 airports in the Kingdom, signed a partnership agreement with the Italian company UrbanV, a leader in operating vertical airport networks. This partnership aims to advance Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) in Saudi Arabia, establishing a comprehensive ecosystem for advanced air mobility within the cluster's airport network, while also providing training programs and technical expertise in this progressive field.
In a related context, Italy’s leading security consultancy and technology company "Forte Secur Group" and "Icon Training," a subsidiary of the Salem Balhamer Holding Group, announced a strategic partnership to enhance security and protection standards in critical facilities across the Kingdom, particularly within the aviation and maritime sectors. This agreement was signed in the presence of the Italian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mr. Carlo Baldocci, underscoring the significance of collaboration in security and safety.
The exhibition, held from November 11-12 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, aims to highlight Saudi Arabia’s efforts in developing and expanding the airport sector, enhancing the Kingdom’s connectivity to over 250 international destinations, and addressing the rapid growth in passenger numbers and air cargo movement.
