Saudi Aviation Exceeds Workforce Goals, Sees Rise in Women Professionals in Leadership

• With 14,371 Saudis employed, the Aviation industry has achieved 124% of its 2025 target
• Female professionals make up 17% of executive positions within the Kingdom’s aviation ecosystem
• Saudi Arabia reduced unemployment from 12.8% in 2018 to 7.1% by mid-2024, surpassing its Vision 2030 benchmark

Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector has outperformed its 2024 Saudization goal, employing 14,317 nationals, 124% of the 2025 target, as part of its broader strategy to establish itself as a global aviation hub. The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) reports that female professionals represent 17% of leadership roles within the kingdom’s aviation ecosystem, spanning airports, carriers, and support. 

The efforts form a key component of Saudi Arabia’s labor strategy, reinforcing the Saudization program introduced in 2011 to boost domestic workforce participation in the private sector. Marking significant progress, Saudi Arabia reduced unemployment from 12.8% in 2018 to 7.1% by mid-2024, surpassing its Vision 2030 benchmark and setting a new goal of 5% by decade’s ends. 

GACA’s president, Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, confirmed in an official release that the authority had achieved substantial progress in 2024 through its ‘Saudization of Aviation Jobs’ program. The statement further noted that this advancement underscores the depth and inclusivity of Vision 2030, reflecting the Kingdom’s holistic development across all sectors. 

As highlighted in the release, these accomplishments underscore the comprehensive and inclusive nature of Vision 2030. The statement was issued in parallel with the 2024 annual report, which confirmed that Saudi Arabia has met 93% of its strategic targets since the launch of the Vision. 

The 2024 annual report reveals that Saudi airports served 128 million passengers last year, representing a 45.8% increase since the 2016 launch of Vision 2030, while the cargo volumes surpassed 1.2 million tonnes.