Under the generous patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the General Authority of Civil Aviation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced the organization of the fourth edition of the “Future of Aviation 2026” International Conference, which is scheduled to be held in the capital, Riyadh, from April 20 to 22, 2026. This global event comes to confirm the pivotal role that the Kingdom plays in shaping the future of the global aviation industry.
Background of the conference and its success story
Since its inception, the Future of Aviation Conference has established itself as a leading event on the international aviation calendar. Previous editions have been consistently successful, attracting industry leaders, decision-makers, and experts from around the world. The third edition of the conference saw participation from over 120 countries and the signing of 102 agreements and memoranda of understanding, reflecting growing international confidence in the Kingdom's ambitious vision for the sector. The conference has also been recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as a leading global platform, further enhancing its strategic importance as a forum for exchanging ideas and shaping the future of air transport.
Strategic importance and its connection to Vision 2030
The Future of Aviation conference cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader framework of Saudi Vision 2030. The aviation sector is a cornerstone in achieving the Vision's objectives, particularly with regard to diversifying the national economy, enhancing the Kingdom's position as a global logistics hub connecting three continents, and developing the tourism and entertainment sectors. The Kingdom is investing heavily in aviation infrastructure, including upgrading existing airports and constructing new ones, most notably King Salman International Airport in Riyadh, and launching new national carriers such as Saudia Airlines, with the aim of increasing capacity and reaching 150 million visitors annually by 2030.
Expected impact and key discussion points
The 2026 edition of the conference is expected to focus on critical issues facing the sector, such as environmental sustainability and the transition to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), digital innovation, artificial intelligence applications, and the development of advanced air transport (AAM). Locally, the conference aims to attract investments exceeding $100 billion, which will contribute to creating thousands of high-quality jobs and supporting local content. Regionally, the conference reinforces the Middle East's position as a key player in global air transport. Internationally, the conference provides a platform for dialogue to formulate policies and legislation that support the sector's safe and sustainable growth and address shared challenges through enhanced international cooperation.
On this occasion, His Excellency the Minister of Transport and Logistics, Engineer Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, expressed his gratitude to the wise leadership for its unwavering support of the sector, emphasizing that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' patronage of the conference embodies the Kingdom's commitment to leading international efforts to develop the aviation industry. For his part, His Excellency the President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Mr. Abdulaziz Al-Duailij, affirmed that the conference has become a highly anticipated event for decision-makers worldwide and an ideal platform to showcase the promising investment opportunities offered by the Saudi aviation sector.
