The Arab Civil Aviation Organization with the support of the General Authority of Civil Aviation‚ organized the first Arab Air Transport Forum in Riyadh on December 4‚ 2023‚ on the sidelines of the International Conference on Air services Negotiations (ICAN) conference. The forum was attended by civil aviation leaders in Arab countries‚ including heads of civil aviation authorities‚ representatives and leaders of international organizations ICAO‚ IATA and Airports Council International‚ with the active participation of the Secretary General of the Arab Air Transport Association and prominent air transport experts and leaders.

The participants discussed the four topics of the forum‚ as well as presenting experiences and ideas related to air transport.
The following are the forum outcomes:
Strengthening the air connectivity network (international‚ regional and domestic):

• Building and enhancing air connectivity‚ opening markets and creating new destinations.
• Maximizing participation and cooperation among stakeholders is the primary driver for joint growth in the field of aviation.
• Following an open skies policy for competition is the most important pillar of improving services‚ reducing prices‚ stimulating economic growth‚ and creating new job opportunities.

The current situation of air transport in the Arab world and the prospects for its development:

• The necessity of activating agreements to contribute to the Arab air transport liberalization policy.
• Encouraging regional cooperation between Arab countries‚ especially after recovery from the Corona pandemic.
• Establishing a fair and open market for air transport and taking measures to keep pace with liberalization policies.

Enhancing the role of hub airports:
The development of hub airports is based on a group of factors‚ the most important of which are: improving infrastructure - expanding capacity - improving information technology and digital services - developing the multimodal transport system.

consumer protection:

• The necessity of providing guidance to the consumer and keeping him informed‚ especially in cases of flights disruption.
• Facilitating to passengers with special needs the access to appropriate services.
• The protection systems requirement to be consistent with the organization of international treaties (Warsaw and Montreal Conventions 1999)‚ as well as the guide to travelers’ rights before‚ during and after travel.