Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector marked a defining moment on Saturday as Saudia Group held its largest-ever graduation ceremony in Jeddah, honoring more than 1,200 men and women who completed specialized training programs across the Kingdom’s flagship carrier and its subsidiaries.
The ceremony, held under the patronage of Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, brought together graduates who will now take up operational roles across Saudia Airlines, Saudia Academy, Saudia Technic, Saudi Ground Services, SAL Logistics Services, flyadeal, and CATRION. From flight operations and engineering to ground services and culinary arts, the cohort reflects the expanding breadth of career opportunities within the Kingdom’s rapidly growing aviation ecosystem.
A New Chapter for Saudi Aviation Talent
Eng. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, described the event as a turning point in the group’s mission to localize critical aviation roles. He noted that the company has surpassed its targeted performance indicators by margins ranging from 43 percent to 230 percent across core positions, a sign that the strategy is delivering measurable results.
Al-Omar revealed that local content within the group has risen from 19 percent in 2019 to 29 percent today, with a clear roadmap to reach 45 percent in the coming years. He also pointed to knowledge transfer clauses embedded in agreements with global aircraft manufacturers, ensuring that Saudi talent benefits directly from international partnerships.
185 New Aircraft and 12,000 Jobs on the Horizon
Perhaps the most striking announcement came in the form of numbers. Saudia Group confirmed that the delivery of 185 new aircraft over the next few years is expected to generate more than 12,000 jobs across the aviation ecosystem. In parallel, the expansion of Saudia Technic’s maintenance hangar at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah is nearing full operational capacity, creating thousands of additional positions in aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul.
Minister Al-Jasser reinforced the significance of the milestone, calling it a direct reflection of Saudi Vision 2030’s commitment to creating quality employment opportunities for citizens and strengthening national institutions. He noted that the broader transport and logistics sector is witnessing rapid development under the Kingdom’s leadership, supported by new investments and the launch of major projects.
Breaking Barriers in the Skies
The ceremony also celebrated the first Saudi female graduates in airport aircraft maintenance, with 25 women completing the program. Women were represented across inflight services and onboard chef programs as well, reflecting their growing inclusion in all aviation disciplines. Khaled Tash, Chief Marketing Officer of Saudia Group, noted that no program today excludes women and that female participation in aviation continues to rise year after year.
With the Future Aviation Forum set to return to Riyadh in April, Saudi Arabia continues to position itself as a global aviation hub. The Kingdom’s investment in human capital, from its earliest days of sending students abroad to study aviation sciences under King Abdulaziz, to today’s large-scale domestic training programs, tells a story of long-term strategic vision now bearing fruit at unprecedented scale.
