Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has issued a licence to Universal Aviation to provide ground handling services at the private aviation terminal of King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, marking the company's official entry into the Saudi market.

The Dammam facility will serve as Universal Aviation's first operational base in the Kingdom, from which it will deliver services to general aviation customers.

GACA said the licence supports its strategy to expand the general aviation sector by fostering an integrated operating environment that promotes industry growth and improves service standards for private aviation users.

The initiative is part of the Aviation Programme under the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to position the Kingdom as a global logistics hub while enhancing the competitiveness of its civil aviation sector at both the regional and international levels.

Source: SPA

Saudi Arabia's Cluster2 Airports Company recorded robust operational performance during the second quarter of 2026, serving 3.98 million passengers across 36,600 flights while continuing to expand airport infrastructure and environmental initiatives.

During the quarter, the company inaugurated two new flynas operational centres at Abha International Airport and Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Qassim, strengthening airline operations and enhancing airport capabilities.

Cluster2 also advanced its sustainability agenda, with five airports earning Level 2 Accreditation under the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme for their progress in carbon management and environmental performance.

The accredited airports are King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Jazan, Najran International Airport, Sharurah Airport, Wadi Al-Dawasir Airport and Al-Wajh Airport.

In support of Saudi Arabia's environmental goals, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Greening Program to plant 300,000 trees across selected airport sites by 2030.

The tree-planting initiative is designed to reduce carbon emissions while supporting the Saudi Green Initiative and the sustainability objectives of Vision 2030.

Cluster2 Airports Company said the quarter's achievements underscore its commitment to improving operational efficiency, strengthening aviation services and promoting environmental sustainability throughout its airport network.

Source: ZAWYA

The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and the Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority (DECCA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration on sustainability, aviation safety and environmental protection.

The agreement establishes a framework for closer cooperation between the two authorities, supporting Dubai's strategic goals in environmental sustainability, civil aviation security and safety, and institutional innovation.

The MoU also reflects a shared commitment to advancing Dubai's long-term vision by promoting greater institutional integration, sustainable development and innovation across the aviation sector.

Mohammed Abdulla Lengawi, Director-General of the DCAA, said the partnership reinforces efforts to build a safe and sustainable aviation ecosystem in line with Dubai's future-focused strategy.

He added that the agreement will facilitate the development of joint initiatives, knowledge sharing and the adoption of best practices in aviation safety, security and environmental protection, helping strengthen Dubai's position as a global aviation leader.

Ahmed Mohammed bin Thani, Director-General of DECCA, said the partnership reflects the authority's commitment to creating a science- and data-driven environmental framework through cross-sector collaboration.

He noted that integrating advanced aviation-grade tracking technologies into environmental monitoring will provide new capabilities for protecting and managing Dubai's ecosystems.

Source: ZAWYA

Dubai Airports has announced three senior leadership appointments as it reinforces its operational, technology and cybersecurity capabilities to support the continued growth of Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC).

Kan Ni has been promoted from Vice President of the Airport Operations Control Centre (AOCC) to Senior Vice President of Airport Operations. Khalid Ishaq, previously Head of AOCC Integration, has been appointed Vice President of AOCC, while Ahmad Al Bastaki joins the organisation as Vice President of Technology Operations and Cybersecurity within the Business Technology division.

The appointments are designed to strengthen leadership across key areas of airport operations as Dubai's aviation sector continues to expand.

In his new role, Kan Ni will build on his work in transforming the AOCC into a data-driven operations centre that coordinates the daily movement of around 200,000 passengers through DXB. He also played a leading role in maintaining safe and efficient airport operations during recent regional airspace disruptions.

Khalid Ishaq, who joined Dubai Airports in 2005, brings nearly 20 years of operational experience to his new position. His promotion also reflects the organisation's focus on developing Emirati talent, with UAE nationals making up 75% of its management team.

Ahmad Al Bastaki will lead technology operations, cybersecurity and infrastructure, helping strengthen the resilience of the airport's digital systems as aviation becomes increasingly dependent on advanced technologies.

Majed Al Joker, Chief Operating Officer of Dubai Airports, said the appointments enhance the organisation's leadership capability by combining operational expertise, technology leadership and Emirati talent to support the future performance and resilience of Dubai's airports.

Source: ZAWYA

Erbil International Airport in northern Iraq resumed flight operations on Tuesday evening after a temporary suspension triggered by security concerns, airport officials said.

Airport Director Ahmed Hoshyar told the Iraqi News Agency that both arriving and departing flights had resumed after operations were briefly halted earlier in the day.

The airport suspended services following a wave of attacks targeting Erbil and its surrounding airspace.

According to Iraqi media reports, three suicide drones were intercepted and shot down after powerful explosions were heard across the city.

Airport operations have since returned to normal, although authorities continue to monitor the security situation.

Source: Anadolu Agency

King Salman International Airport (KSIA) has completed Phase Zero of its Private Aviation Terminal Apron, marking a significant construction milestone as Saudi Arabia moves forward with the development of one of the world's largest airport projects.

The 57-square-kilometre aviation hub in Riyadh, designed by Foster + Partners, is progressing toward its first phase of terminal operations, which is scheduled to begin in 2029.

Backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), the airport's masterplan features nine passenger terminals, multiple concourses, a dedicated royal terminal, private aviation facilities, and around 12 square kilometres of retail, residential, and leisure developments.

Construction is currently underway across the airfield and terminal infrastructure, with major contractors including Almabani, FCC Construcción, and CarbonCure, the latter supporting the use of lower-carbon concrete as part of the project's sustainability goals.

Upon completion, KSIA will operate six parallel runways and is expected to accommodate 100 million to 120 million passengers annually by 2030. The airport is also projected to handle 3.5 million tonnes of cargo each year by 2050, strengthening Riyadh's role as a global aviation and logistics hub.

The latest progress follows a site visit by Abdulaziz Al Duailej, President of the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), who reviewed construction updates and ongoing execution work at the project.

Source: TradeArabia