General Authority of Civil Aviation

For the UAE agency, see General Civil Aviation Authority.
General Authority of Civil Aviation
الهيئة العامة للطيران المدني
Agency overview
Formed1934
JurisdictionGovernment of Saudi Arabia
HeadquartersRiyadh, Saudi Arabia
21°31′30″N 39°13′6″E / 21.52500°N 39.21833°E / 21.52500; 39.21833
Agency executive
Parent departmentMinistry of Transport and Logistic Services
Websitehttp://www.gaca.gov.sa

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) (Arabic: الهيئة العامة للطيران المدني) is the regulator of Saudi Arabia's civil aviation sector. It was established in 1934 as the Civil Aviation Administration (Arabic: إدارة الطيران المدني) to oversee the air traffic control of Saudi Arabia.

It is responsible for regulation of air transport services and the implementation of civil air regulations, air safety and airworthiness standards. It also co-ordinates all regulatory functions with International Civil Aviation Organization. The GACA headquarters is in Riyadh.

History

Al-Duailej, the GACA head, in November 2022

The GACA emerged from the Presidency of Civil Aviation (PCA; مصلحة الطيران المدني) that was created when the institution controlling aviation was split into a civil department and the Royal Saudi Air Force.[1] The Presidency of Civil Aviation was among others also in charge of the Saudi Arabian Airlines and the Meteorology Department. The Saudi Arabian Airlines was split from the Presidency of Civil Aviation in 1960 and became an independent public institution in 1963.[1] The Meteorology Department became an independent institution with own budget in 1966.[1] The name of the Presidency of Civil Aviation was changed to General Authority of Civil Aviation in 1977.[1] In late December 2011 the GACA was separated from the ministry of defence and was attached directly to King Abdullah.[2] Following this reorganization King Abdullah appointed Prince Fahd bin Abdullah bin Mohammed as the head of the GACA.[2]

The former president of GACA was Nabeel Al Amoudi also was the minister of transport. Then Abdulhadi Al Mansouri was appointed as president.[3] In 2021, Abdulaziz Al-Duailej was appointed head of the GACA.[4]

Operations

Formerly the headquarters were in Jeddah.[5]

Notable people

  • Abdulhakim Al-Tamimi (living), politician and President and Minister of the General Authority of Civil Aviation

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Company history GACA website
  2. ^ a b "Saudi to open domestic market for new players says new GACA team". Arabian Aerospace. 28 December 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  3. ^ New GACA president thanks Saudi leaders for their trust
  4. ^ "Who's Who: Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, head of the Saudi General Authority for Civil Aviation". Arab News. 2021-03-16. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  5. ^ "Sectors - Safety & Economic Regulations > Contact Information." General Authority of Civil Aviation. Retrieved 25 February 2012. "2- GACA (H/Q) Downtown - Jeddah" - Arabic: "2- المبنى الرئيسي للهيئة العامة للطيران المدني حي بني مالك – جدة"