Saudi Arabia will require 8,800 pilots by 2024, says expert

Saudi Arabia will require 8,800 pilots and 11,700 technicians by 2024, according to an official from the National Aviation Academy.

Speaking at the Mebaa Conference in Jeddah this week, Captain Bander Khaldi, managing director, National Aviation Academy, announced the forecast, citing attrition replacement and fleet growth as key factors behind the workforce demand. During his presentation, he described the development plans for the academy, with a focus on how it will aim to meet the country’s need.

This followed a keynote speech from Dr Sami Alsrisari, deputy assistant president, Aviation Standards and director, Safety and Risk, General Authority of Civil Aviation (Gaca).

“It’s an honour to be part of the Mebaa Conference Jeddah,” Alsrisari said. “With the current trends in the business aviation industry, knowledge sharing among leaders and peers really helps to build a competitive advantage. The Mebaa Conference facilitates this and, as one of the prominent voices on innovation in the region, Gaca is proud to be involved.”

Also speaking at the event



was Captain Mohammed Al Subaiei, director, Saudi Aramco Local Workforce Development Department, who agreed the event has become an important part of the business aviation landscape. “Over the past few years, I have seen the Mebaa mission evolve and expand beyond business aircraft operations to include supporting and advocating aviation safety.” He added: “Mebaa is taking the lead to address the demand to train and qualify the next-generation aviation workforce for business aviation.”

The Mebaa Conference Jeddah took place from September 3-4 at the Jeddah Hilton and brought together the business aviation industry from the region. A total of 148 business aviation professionals attended the conference, hearing presentations and panel discussions on financing, pilot regulations and innovation, and taking part in interactive roundtables.

Mebaa Conferences have a well-earned reputation for being the industry standard in topical discussions and thought leadership, and will continue with the Mebaa Conference Dubai, taking place during the Mebaa Show 2018 in December, and the Mebaa Conference Morocco in 2019.