The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has chosen the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in recognition of its role in spreading the culture of aviation locally, regionally and internationally, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
President of the International Air Transport Association of Netherlands Frits Brink announced the selection of Captain Ayed Odeeb Al-Qassimi, CEO of Saudi Aviation Club in the Kingdom, to be the Vice President of the IATA for the Middle East and North Africa, SPA added.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is the trade association for the world’s airlines, representing some 280 airlines or 83% of total air traffic. We support many areas of aviation activity and help formulate industry policy on critical aviation issues.
The Saudi Aviation Club (SAC), one of the most prestigious aviation clubs in the world, was established by resolution 217 of the Council of Ministers on 4 December 2000 as an independent nonprofit entity to promote aeronautical sciences and to encourage the participation of the public in aviation. It recently became affiliated to the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).
SAC’s airport is located in Thumamah, approximately 60 km north of Riyadh.
SAC offers a variety of aviation activities, including radio-controlled aircraft, parachuting and gliding. The Club’s members can enjoy their hobbies freely within specific areas, and are allowed to take part in local and international competitions.
The Club’s aim is to improve and encourage personal aviation activities and recreational sports in accordance with the highest safety standards.
The Club organizes local air shows and aviation tournaments. Its members also participate in international tournaments.
Among the most prominent activities is the Fourth Forum for General Aviation which was held at SAC’s headquarters in Thamamah Airport from 11-13 January 2018 under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdul Aziz, Governor of Riyadh Region and Chairman of the Tourism Development Board, and His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Aviation Club.
Over 60 airplanes and aerobatic teams from Saudi Arabia and the UAE took part in air and ground shows, including skydiving and paragliding.
The participation of GACA as a strategic partner was to provide support and encouragement to all events relating to aviation. The authority pays great attention to air sports and works to support and develop the practice in the Kingdom to spread public awareness on aviation.
The forum included air shows with various types of aircrafts, an accompanying exhibition of the sponsors, parachute jumps, paragliding, remote-controlled aircraft, in addition to the air and ground show.
