Key Takeaways
• Over 1,000 individuals will enroll in aviation training as part of Saudi Arabia’s partnership with IATA, starting May 2025.
• Sixty new training courses cover digital skills, risk management, and industry-wide standards across Saudi airports, airlines, and logistics.
• Saudi aviation generates $90.6 billion annually and supports 1.4 million jobs, reflecting Vision 2030’s push for skilled workforce growth.
Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 is taking major steps to prepare its aviation sector for the future, working closely with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to give people the right skills and knowledge they need. This news came out during the IATA Aviation Day Middle East and North Africa (MENA) event held in Jeddah on May 6-7, 2025. The plan centers on a wide-ranging Aviation Training Program, which will help Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 meet its huge ambitions for aviation and support its Vision 2030 economic goals.
The partnerships formed during this event mark a clear message: Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 is serious about turning its airports, airlines, and aviation schools into some of the best in the world. By working with the International Air Transport Association, the Kingdom is making sure that its aviation workers are ready for modern challenges and that they’re well-placed to take up leadership roles in the future.
Why the Aviation Training Program Matters
In the first phase of this Aviation Training Program, more than 1,000 graduates and current aviation employees will take part in new training sessions. These sessions cover everything from airport development and safety to airline management and ground operations. The idea is not only to meet skill needs right now but also to build a professional workforce that can keep up with the fast changes in the sector.
One big thing about these training courses is that they do not just focus on old ways of working. New areas like digital skills, risk management, and handling dangerous goods are all part of the program. This helps prepare Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 for all kinds of roles—on the ground, in the air, and behind the scenes.
Key Partnerships and Training Actions in 2025
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the 2025 training agreements stretch across different parts of Saudi Arabia’s 🇸🇦 aviation industry:
- Riyadh Airports Company and Qassim University will become Regional Training Partners. Along with Prince Sultan Aviation Academy (PSAA)—which will add even more courses to its existing offerings—these three groups will deliver over 60 training courses. The topics cover a wide range, making sure that every key job in aviation can benefit.
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The International Air Transport Association will also provide special “industry awareness” courses to new graduates at Riyadh Air and Saudia Airlines. These courses are designed to spot and nurture local talent, giving Saudis the chance to move into leadership jobs within the airlines.
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The Saudi Academy of Civil Aviation (SACA) will give Dangerous Goods Courses to both managers and front-line staff. Learning how to safely handle, pack, and move risky items is crucial for airlines and airports.
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SAL Saudi Logistics Services is now officially a CBTA (Competency-Based Training and Assessment) Center. Saudi Ground Services (SGS) has renewed both its CBTA Center and Training Validation Program certificates. This means that SGS’s own ground operations training programs meet tough international standards.
What Does This Mean for Students and Job-Seekers?
If you are a student or someone hoping to work in Saudi Arabia’s 🇸🇦 aviation industry, these new courses could be your entry point to top jobs. The fact that big universities and well-known training academies are involved gives the program real weight. It’s also likely that having training or certificates from these programs will make your resume much stronger—both in Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 and overseas.
On the other hand, if you’re already working in aviation or thinking about a move into the industry, these training programs can help you update your knowledge or move into new roles. The international links, especially with the International Air Transport Association, open doors for workers to learn the latest industry standards and best practices.
Economic Growth and Saudi Arabia’s 🇸🇦 Vision 2030
Aviation already does a lot for Saudi Arabia’s 🇸🇦 economy. The sector brings in about $90.6 billion every year and supports 1.4 million jobs. Out of these, 62,000 people work directly for airlines while 79,000 work at airports or for the national air navigation service. Aviation contributes 8.5% to the country’s entire output.
These numbers show just how important the sector is—and why Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 is eager to make it even bigger and better. The country’s Vision 2030 aims for economic growth, more jobs for Saudis, and a greater role in the global economy. To meet these targets, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 is spending a lot to modernize airports, renew aircraft fleets, and make the whole travel experience smoother.
But new runways, shiny terminals, and modern aircraft are only part of the story. Well-trained people are needed to run this infrastructure, solve problems quickly, keep travelers safe, and improve customer service. The tie-up with the International Air Transport Association fits perfectly with these goals, making sure that training keeps up with rapid changes in technology and global rules.
Three Main Focus Areas: Setting Clear Paths for Growth
IATA has pointed to three main focus areas for further growth and improvement in Saudi Arabia’s 🇸🇦 aviation sector:
1. Collaboration and Setting Global Standards
The International Air Transport Association stresses the need for Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 to work closely with industry partners—both inside and outside the country. This means sharing ideas with airlines, airports, and other groups, and setting rules and ways of working that match what’s done globally. When all parties use the same standards, airlines and airports can run smoother, safer, and more efficiently.
This also gives workers in Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 an edge—they’ll have training and skills that are valued not just at home but also in other countries. For students and job-seekers, this makes the Aviation Training Program even more attractive.
2. Building New Infrastructure—But Keeping Costs Down
Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 is investing a great deal in new airport terminals, digital systems, and even entire airports. This kind of spending can sometimes lead to higher costs for airlines and travelers. That’s why the International Air Transport Association is working to make sure these projects are cost-effective. The goal is to gain new capacity and better service without pushing prices too high.
Digitalization—using computers and technology to track luggage, improve passenger check-ins, and help pilots and ground staff—is a big part of this. Well-trained workers are essential to make the most of these improvements, which ties back to the success of the Aviation Training Program.
3. Capacity-Building: Creating a Skilled Workforce
As Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 works to become a leading aviation hub in the Middle East (and even worldwide), it needs more than just new buildings and airplanes. The biggest priority might be developing a large and skilled workforce. That’s why building training partnerships with respected groups—including universities, government agencies, and established training centers—is key.
The International Air Transport Association’s focus on capacity-building helps fill every critical position—from ground handlers and customer service staff to engineers, pilots, and managers. This ensures the sector grows smoothly and can handle increasing numbers of travelers.
Leadership Voices and Vision
Kamil Al-Awadhi, the Regional Vice President for Africa and Middle East at the International Air Transport Association, summed up the need for the Aviation Training Program: “Saudi Arabia’s 🇸🇦 aviation sector is undergoing unprecedented growth and transformation. The Kingdom is not only expanding its aviation infrastructure, but it is also investing in its people. This is vital to meet the immediate skills requirements while developing a professional workforce able to deliver on Vision 2030.”
His words echo the main reason for bringing in so many training options: it’s about investing in Saudi people so they can move up in their careers and help meet the big aims of Vision 2030.
Immediate Impact on Stakeholders
For Airlines and Airports
Airlines like Saudia Airlines and Riyadh Air will soon have access to workers trained in line with global standards. This should help them run more efficiently, offer better customer service, and keep up with changes in technology and safety rules. For airport operators, like Riyadh Airports Company, having staff trained on international standards is a major selling point when working with global partners or drawing more transit traffic.
For Government and Policy Makers
For Saudi Arabia’s 🇸🇦 leaders, these partnerships show that they’re serious about future-proofing the aviation sector. It’s a smart way to keep national pride while making sure the sector doesn’t fall behind international trends.
For the International Air Transport Association
Helping Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 train its workforce helps the International Air Transport Association fulfill its global mission of making air travel safer, more reliable, and fairer. It also sets an example for other countries wanting to upgrade their own training programs.
For Students and Job-Seekers
There are more training choices and clearer paths to jobs. With the International Air Transport Association now directly involved, Saudi graduates may find it easier to find positions not just at home but all around the world.
Addressing Ongoing Challenges
Making sure so many students and workers get trained at the same high standard is not easy. There’s a need for ongoing updates to the courses to keep up with changes in safety guidelines, customer needs, and new technology. Keeping everything affordable will be another hurdle, but the goal is clear: create a workforce that not only meets today’s demands but can tackle tomorrow’s as well.
CBTA Center certifications and the Training Validation Programs—like those earned by SAL Saudi Logistics Services and Saudi Ground Services—are good examples of the push for quality. These certifications help show that the training centers are serious about meeting not just local, but international requirements.
Another challenge lies in making training available in different locations, to reach people in different regions. Thanks to the inclusion of Qassim University and other partners spread across the country, the Aviation Training Program should be easier to access for more people.
Global Importance: More Than Local Benefits
Besides helping Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 meet its own goals, there are wider effects. With better-trained staff, Saudi airports and airlines can attract more travelers passing through the region—either as tourists or as passengers in transit. This could make the Kingdom an even bigger player in the aviation world.
When local workers have skills that match international standards, it also helps them find work both within the country and abroad. It boosts Saudi Arabia’s 🇸🇦 image as a place where aviation is taken seriously and handled by true professionals.
Next Steps for Interested Participants
People interested in joining these training programs should look out for announcements from their chosen airlines, universities, or training centers. Details about specific courses, dates, and application steps are usually listed by the groups involved. The International Air Transport Association’s own website offers up-to-date information about course offerings in Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 and worldwide, which can be found at their official training page.
As the sector grows, chances are that more international groups and local partners will join the Aviation Training Program, offering new areas of study or practical learning projects for students.
Summary: A Big Opportunity for the Future
Saudi Arabia’s 🇸🇦 ambitious plans for its aviation sector are backed by real action, with the International Air Transport Association playing a key role in bringing top-quality training to thousands of workers and students. The new Aviation Training Program covers everything—from risk management and digital skills to airline operations and ground services. It’s a key part of the country’s Vision 2030, investing not just in new buildings, but in its people.
With over 1,000 people taking part in the first phase, clear partnerships with major universities and companies, and a strong push for international standards, the sky is wide open for Saudi Arabia’s 🇸🇦 aviation future. For those interested in the sector—whether as students, workers, or employers—now is the time to get involved, learn new skills, and take part in this story of growth and progress.
Learn Today
Aviation Training Program → A comprehensive initiative to equip Saudi aviation professionals and students with skills for airport, airline, and logistics sectors.
CBTA Center → A Competency-Based Training and Assessment Center, certified to deliver practical aviation training meeting international standards.
Dangerous Goods Courses → Specialized courses teaching safe handling, packaging, and transport of hazardous materials in aviation.
Vision 2030 → Saudi Arabia’s long-term economic diversification plan aiming to reduce oil dependency and foster sectors like aviation.
International Air Transport Association (IATA) → A global trade group supporting safe, secure, and efficient air travel, partnering with Saudi Arabia for workforce development.
This Article in a Nutshell
Saudi Arabia’s landmark Aviation Training Program, launched with the International Air Transport Association, equips over 1,000 participants in 2025. Covering digital skills and safety, this initiative supports Vision 2030 by developing a highly skilled workforce for airports and airlines, helping Saudi Arabia become a global aviation leader and economic powerhouse.
— By VisaVerge.com
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