• ICAN is the world’s largest civil aviation negotiation event, with more than 160 countries having attended, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s aviation leadership role in line with the Saudi Aviation Strategy
  • The announcement comes as Saudi Arabia attends the 41st ICAO Assembly, leading the introduction of several new global policies and progressing bilateral agreements with partner countries

Montreal: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been selected as the host of the 15th International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Air Services Negotiation event (ICAN), to be held in December 2023 in Riyadh. To be hosted by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), the event is the premiere platform for countries to negotiate aviation transport arrangements, with more than 160 countries having attended previous events.  

The announcement aligns with the beginning of the ICAO’s 41st Assembly in Montreal, where Saudi Arabia is introducing new global aviation policies to help reconnect the world. The Saudi delegation is led by the Kingdom’s Transport Minister, His Excellency Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser and GACA President, His Excellency Abdulaziz Al Duailej. 

Commenting on the announcement, HE Saleh Al-Jasser stated: 

“The selection of Saudi Arabia as ICAN 2023 host recognizes the Kingdom’s contribution to global aviation and our efforts to connect the world in line with Vision 2030. The event will be a pivotal opportunity to grow bilateral relationships with participating countries, and to showcase Saudi hospitality and culture to the aviation world.”

The President of GACA, His Excellency Abdulaziz Al-Duailej said:

“ICAN 2023 will be a global platform to showcase how we are creating opportunities for the world through the Saudi Aviation Strategy, following our hosting of the Future Aviation Forum earlier this year. GACA looks forward to hosting our fellow regulators from around the world, and to the event making significant progress in reconnecting the world following the COVID pandemic.”

The ICAN 2023 event will provide countries with a central meeting place to conduct bilateral, regional or plurilateral air services negotiations and consultations, as well as networking opportunities for policy makers, regulators, air operators, service providers and other stakeholders.  

The announcement caps a strong start to the ICAO 41st Assembly in Montreal for Saudi Arabia, which is currently serving on the ICAO Council. The Kingdom is introducing a range of policy and investment initiatives during the 41st Assembly. The 41st Assembly runs from 27 September-7 October and sets the global aviation agenda for the next three years.

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The Saudi Aviation Strategy is an ambitious strategy with privatization at its heart, which will transform the entire KSA aviation ecosystem. Its goal is to create a global investment environment that empowers the sector’s contribution to the Kingdom’s GDP, while meeting the Kingdom’s growing cargo needs. It aims to lead Saudi Arabia to become the number one aviation sector in the Middle East by 2030, driven by the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. 

The strategy is backed by private sector and government investments and is developing Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation sector across the Kingdom’s airports, airlines and aviation support services. This includes extending connectivity from 99 to more than 250 destinations across 29 airports, tripling annual passenger traffic to 330 million, including two global long-haul connecting hubs, and increasing air cargo capacity to 4.5 million tonnes. 

The Saudi Aviation Strategy provides opportunities for the people of Saudi Arabia, opening access and improving ease of travel and customer experience, directly creating jobs within the sector and by empowering local businesses to expand and build a new skills base. 

Led by the Kingdom’s regulator, the General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA), the strategy will elevate Saudi aviation by supporting industries that fall under the civil aviation sector to enable their ability to adapt to global change, enhance their competitiveness and raise the level of services provided to passengers with a focus on creating a sustainable future.

For more details please contact
Leanne O'Rourkes 
lvo@consulum.com