Whilst the headlines may focus on gleaming terminals, multi-billion projects and record-breaking passenger targets, the true transformation in Saudi’s aviation sector is unfolding behind the scenes.
It’s as much a shift in mindset as it is in infrastructure, a long-term commitment to developing not just airports, but also capabilities. The future of aviation in Saudi Arabia won’t be shaped solely by concrete and steel; it will be shaped by people. The public sector is playing a crucial, though often understated, role in making this vision a reality.The future of aviation in Saudi Arabia won’t be shaped solely by concrete and steel; it will be shaped by people.
From Vision to Velocity
Vision 2030 has set an ambitious target: to transform Saudi Arabia into a global logistics and tourism hub, connecting over 250 destinations and welcoming 330 million passengers annually. To get there, the Kingdom is investing heavily in next-generation infrastructure, from King Salman International Airport in Riyadh to expansion projects in Abha, Jeddah and Taif.
However, scale alone isn’t enough. What will define long-term success are sustainability, service quality, and sovereign capability—and that’s where knowledge transfer becomes essential.
The Engine Behind the Upgrade: People
One of the most exciting, and essential, developments taking place is the upskilling of Saudi nationals across all layers of aviation. We’re seeing a concerted effort to train the next generation of air traffic controllers, terminal managers, safety officers and digital systems engineers. These are high-stakes, high-skill roles, and the Kingdom is investing in developing this talent at speed.
This is where the crucial role of the public sector becomes particularly evident. Take Serco, for instance, which brings decades of operational experience in managing air traffic control in the region. The public sector offers invaluable institutional knowledge, along with a clear mandate: to ensure that this expertise is integrated and applied locally.
Transform, Train and Transfer must be the approach here. This is a proven model designed to build national capabilities whilst ensuring enduring operational excellence. Through this framework, local teams are trained with international best practice, operational models are transformed with innovation and efficiency and ultimately ownership is transferred to ensure sustainable, sovereign delivery.
In practice, this means Saudi nationals are learning side by side with seasoned international experts. The public sector plays a key role by offering tailored programmes that focus not only on technical skills but also on leadership, safety culture and long-term operational resilience.
The Quiet Revolution of Digital Aviation
Alongside this human capability-building, a quiet digital revolution is underway. Airports in the Kingdom are integrating AI for predictive maintenance, biometrics for passenger flow and data analytics for everything from baggage handling to flight scheduling.
Behind every advanced system is an even smarter team, trained not only to operate technology but to optimise it. Once again, the public sector plays a crucial role. Through partnerships with academia, training institutions and international providers, public bodies are ensuring that digital transformation doesn’t leave local talent behind.
Sustainability as Standard
Saudi Arabia has made its climate commitments clear, with a pledge to reach net-zero by 2060, and aviation must play a key role in this effort. What’s encouraging is that sustainability is being integrated from the outset. Take the new King Salman International Airport, for instance, which aims for LEED Platinum certification, powered by renewable energy, and designed with low-carbon architecture. However, achieving sustainable aviation isn't just about design; it’s about operations. Training teams to manage energy systems, minimise waste and transition to green ground handling is equally essential.
Leading from Behind the Scenes
For those of us who’ve worked across the region for decades, the pace of change in Saudi Arabia is truly remarkable. What’s even more impressive, however, is the intention driving it. There’s a clear commitment not just to build quickly, but to build thoughtfully, fostering growth that is resilient, inclusive, and locally empowered.
The public sector’s role has evolved. It’s no longer simply about service provision, it’s about strategic stewardship. Creating the frameworks, partnerships, and capacity to enable the private sector to thrive, whilst ensuring that local people, systems and institutions grow stronger as a result.
Passengers may never see the countless hours of training, the transfer of global expertise, or the overhaul of legacy systems that ensure a seamless journey, but that’s exactly the point. The most successful transformations are often the ones that remain invisible to those who benefit from them.
Saudi Arabia’s airports of the future are being built today, not just in glass and steel, but in people, partnerships, and purpose.