Saudi Arabia, France sign agreement to strengthen air transport connectivity

Saudi Arabian and French civil aviation authorities signed a record of discussions aimed at increasing connectivity between the two nations. The agreement was signed on Thursday in Paris by Bader Al-Sagri, director of the international cooperation department at the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation and Emmanuel Vivet, deputy director of air services at the French Civil Aviation Authority.

The document outlines plans to expand the number of flights and strengthen the partnership between Riyadh and Paris in the civil aviation sector. This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to position the Kingdom as a global hub for aviation, targeting connectivity to 250 international destinations and an anticipated 330 million annual passengers by the end of the decade.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the cooperation will strengthen Saudi Arabia’s role as a key logistics center for civil aviation and air transport services.

This agreement is part of a broader series of collaborations signed during French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Saudi Arabia this week. On Wednesday, the Kingdom’s national carrier, Saudia, entered into a strategic partnership with Air France-KLM to collaborate on aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul services, further cementing the aviation ties between the two countries.

The enhanced aviation partnership is expected to facilitate increased passenger and cargo traffic, benefiting the economic and tourism sectors of both nations. As Saudi Arabia continues to advance its Vision 2030 goals, such agreements underscore the Kingdom's commitment to fostering international cooperation and expanding its influence in global aviation.