The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) (Arabic: الهيئة العامة للطيران المدني) is responsible for regulating 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 headquarters is in Riyadh.[1]
History
Abdulaziz Al-Duailej 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.[2] 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.[2] The Meteorology Department became an independent institution with own budget in 1966.[2] The name of the Presidency of Civil Aviation was changed to General Authority of Civil Aviation in 1977.[2] In late December 2011 the GACA was separated from the ministry of defence and was attached directly to King Abdullah.[3] Following this reorganization King Abdullah appointed Prince Fahd bin Abdullah bin Mohammed as the head of the GACA.[3]
The former president of GACA was Nabeel Al Amoudi also was the minister of transport. Then Abdulhadi Al Mansouri was appointed as president.[4] In 2021, Abdulaziz Al-Duailej was appointed head of the GACA.[5]
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