JEDDAH — Saudia Group outlined plans to create more than 12,000 jobs over the next few years through the delivery of 185 new aircraft and celebrated its largest-ever graduation ceremony, recognizing more than 1,000 Saudi men and women who have completed aviation training programs.
The ceremony, held in Jeddah, marked a milestone in the group’s broader contribution to workforce development strategy and national aviation strategy.
Graduates join Saudia Airways, Saudia Academy, Saudia Technic, Saudi Ground Services (SGS), SAL Logistics Services, Flydeal, and CATRION.
Engineering Saudia Group Director General Ibrahim Al Omar said the graduation represents a new stage in the group’s plans to localize the air transport industry, noting that significant progress has been achieved in the localization of key aviation-related activities, exceeding targeted performance indicators by 43% to 230% across core roles.
He said the group’s 185 new aircraft scheduled for delivery over the next few years are expected to create more than 12,000 jobs across the aviation ecosystem.
In parallel, the expansion of Saudia Technique’s maintenance hangar at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport will soon be fully operational, creating thousands of additional direct jobs in aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul.
Al Omar added that Saudi Arabia has adopted a structured approach in its agreements with major global manufacturers and has included provisions to ensure knowledge transfer and qualification of Saudi executives within the Kingdom, contributing to the improvement of local content and sustainable capacity building.
He said local content within the group has now risen from 19% in 2019 to 29%, with the aim to reach 45% in the next few years.
He said Saudia Academy has evolved into a comprehensive training center covering multiple aviation specialties, with advanced facilities, qualified trainers and an internationally aligned curriculum.
The aim is to position the Academy as a global training benchmark, attracting trainees from all over the world.
Mr. Al Omar also emphasized Saudi Arabia’s long-standing focus on human capital, noting that the country has prioritized the development of national talent since its founding more than 80 years ago.
He recalled that the first students were sent to study aviation science during the reign of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, laying the foundation for today’s aviation workforce.
Saleh Al Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Board of Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Faculty of Engineering, led the ceremony and said that the graduation ceremony is in line with Saudi Vision 2030, whose central goal is to provide quality employment opportunities to the people and strengthen national institutions.
Al Jasser said the aviation sector and the broader transport and logistics system are undergoing rapid development under Saudi leadership, which is reflected in improved international indicators, new investments and the launch of major projects and initiatives.
He emphasized that from its inception, the Saudi Arabian Airlines public sector believed that building human capital was a strategic priority. The institution has invested significantly in restructuring and restructuring its workforce development, including linking secondment and scholarship programs to specific academic pathways linked to sector needs.
Al Jasser expressed confidence that the new graduates will help the university be at the forefront of its transformation journey towards profitability and operational independence.
