Arab News, Wed, May 22, 2024 | Dhu al-Qadah 14, 1445
Riyadh Air and Saudia agree new joint training programs
Saudi Arabia:
Saudi Arabia’s two national airlines will work together to train pilots,
aircraft crews and other aviation employees thanks to a new deal.
Riyadh Air, the new company announced by Crown
Prince Mohammed bin Salman in March 2023, has reached an agreement with the
Saudi Academy – affiliated with the Saudia group, the national carrier of the
Kingdom.
The memorandum of cooperation, signed at the
Future Aviation Forum in Riyadh, represents a turning point in specialized
education in the field of aviation for Saudi Arabia’s national carriers, paving
the way towards improving the training standards of pilots, aircraft crews and
air operations, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
It aims to develop and adapt talent to enhance the
Kingdom’s position as a leader in the global aviation sector.
This move aligns well with the Kingdom’s firm
commitment to enhancing its capabilities in the field of aviation and air
transport while providing the necessary tools to develop the sector’s
workforce.
“This strategic partnership with Saudia Academy
reflects our firm commitment to nurturing and developing talent and raising
standards of excellence in the aviation sector, as we aim, by mobilizing our
joint capabilities and specialized expertise in the field, to create a
world-class training system that can enable, through it, aviation specialists
acquire the knowledge and skills necessary,” Riyadh Air’s Chief Operating
Officer Peter Bellew said.
Moreover, the agreement is set to enable the two
national carriers to integrate their expertise and resources to provide training
programs covering a wide range of specializations, SPA’s report added.
These programs will include technical training,
aviation basics, and ground operations, as well as management principles,
linguistic proficiency, and compliance with regulatory provisions and
standards.
Additionally, the cooperation will extend to
specialized executive education and training, aligning with the professional
development needs of leaders and decision-makers in the aviation and air
transport sector.
CEO of the Saudi Academy, Ismail Al-Kashi,
emphasized the importance of investing in training and development to ensure the
highest standards of quality, air safety, and service excellence.
“The employees are qualified and provided with the
necessary knowledge to ensure they provide outstanding performance in the
aviation sector, which is witnessing rapid development,” Al-Kashi noted.
More than 5,000 global aviation industry experts,
international airline leaders, and airport executives are expected to convene at
the Future Aviation Forum.
Organized by the General Authority of Civil
Aviation, the three-day event features discussions on issues related to the
global flight sector, air transport, environmental sustainability in civil
aviation, advanced air transport, and enhancing global connectivity.
The event also aligns with the Kingdom’s ambition
to become a leader in the aviation sector within a decade, including securing
$100 billion in investments by 2030.