More than 55,000 pilots and 62,000 technical professionals may be required in the GCC aviation sector by 2032, said an expert ahead of a key industry event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.  

It will help support over one million jobs in the region’s travel industry and may require more air force personnel to strengthen the ongoing ambitious modernisation program, stated Sulaiman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Hamdan, the chief executive of Arabian SAS, the organisers of the upcoming Saudi Aviation Training Exhibition and Conference (Satce).

The two-day will make its debut on March 18 at Jeddah Hilton Hotel, featuring over 50 Saudi and international aviation universities and academies specialised in offering aviation education in aeronautical, engineering, technical, maintenance, management, audit, pilot, air traffic control, airport operations, ground handling, marketing, safety and security, cabin crew, airlines, aircraft manufacturers, aviation education aid manufacturers and other supporting industries.

Over 800 trade visitors and 2,000 ambitious students interested in an aviation career are expected to attend the first-of-its-kind event held in Saudi Arabia, said the organisers.

Al Hamdan pointed out that the Saudi aviation industry was growing at a rapid phase with the country's airports  handling over 70 million passengers every year.

"The numbers will balloon in the future, thanks to the ongoing airport expansions, construction of the new airports and the increasing aircraft numbers in the Saudi-based airlines," he added.

Al Hamdan said the aviation industry was an important global sector and was expanding rapidly in Saudi Arabia and in its neighboring countries.

"As the aviation Industry touches everyone’s life and as it requires high level of effectiveness and efficiency, we are determined to bring the global aviation training technologies in to Saudi Arabia, which will aid the airlines, airports, training academies and our national students, who are our future assets, to join the national aviation industry and with Armed Forces to serve the nation," he added.   

The Saudi Arabian Armed Forces, Saudi Royal Air Force and Saudi National Guards will be playing a key role at the inaugural show, said the organisers.

Satce is officially approved by General Authority of Civil Aviation – Saudi Arabia and sponsored by Prince Sultan Aviation Academy, Boeing, BAE Systems, CAE, Alehtiraf and Prince Sultan University.-TradeArabia News Service