The Middle East’s aviation market, estimated at $64.31 billion in 2024, is on course to reach $74.15 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 2.89% during the forecast period. This growth is underpinned by the increasing demand for business jets as well as domestic travel due to the country’s focus on tourism and the development of domestic airports.
Saudi Arabia, which currently enjoys the biggest market share, is expected to dominate the Middle Eastern aviation market in the next six years. With its ambitious Vision 2030, the Kingdom is looking to improve its aviation sector’s contribution to economic growth with incentives like the privatization of airports and massive investments in fleet expansion and airport infrastructure.
Moreover, with the recently announced aviation strategy that redefines the role of the General Authority for Civil Aviation, Saudi Arabia plans to make the sector more competitive and attract $100 billion worth of investments by 2030.
ADB SAFEGATE, a top player in the field, has recently expanded its reach into this appealing market with the opening of its Saudi office. Its Sales Director, Ammar Momani, shared insights into their success story, revealing how “the changes in the Kingdom and the new economic modernization initiatives” were the tipping point for them to open offices in Saudi Arabia.
Expanding Footprint: Saudi Arabia as a Focus Market
Ever since 1921, when the company was established, they have been a global leader in airport performance thanks to its innovative solutions and systems. With products and services deployed across major airport hubs within the Kingdom, the company’s rich history and expertise have positioned it as a key player in supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambitious aviation goals.
Recognizing the growth potential of the market after the country’s reforms, the aviation leader decided to leverage the promising opportunities that lie ahead. When asked about the major drivers behind the company’s decision to expand to the region, Momani highlighted the company’s long-standing presence in the country and its desire to be a part of Saudi Arabia’s vision for a future-ready aviation sector.
In Momani’s words, “Following the changes in the Kingdom and the new economic modernization initiatives, we decided to build our presence close to our customers to provide better support and technical services.“ The decision to expand to Saudi Arabia was facilitated by AstroLabs’ on-ground team, which provided invaluable insights into the local market’s regulatory and operational frameworks.
“Partnering with AstroLabs helped us focus on our core business, significantly enhancing the overall value of our company. The AstroLabs team proved to be well acquainted with the processes and regulations in Saudi Arabia, and that was key for the ADB SAFEGATE process while opening a fully owned office in KSA,” Ammar reflected.
ADB SAFEGATE’s Commitment: Landmark Projects and Future Horizons
ADB SAFEGATE’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s aviation industry is evident through its involvement in a plethora of massive projects—the company’s systems are a critical component of the operational database and IT infrastructure of Riyadh International Airport and provide airfield visual guidance systems for the Red Sea Airport.
By providing innovative and emerging technology to the airports, the aviation company sets a new benchmark for airport operations in the region, improving operational efficiencies and passenger experiences. Moreover, their work on the Red Sea Airport, a key aspect of Saudi Arabia’s giga project, Red Sea Development, highlights the company’s impactful contribution to the construction upsurge currently taking place across the Kingdom in areas such as airports and further affirms commitment to the country’s tourism sector.
Looking into the future, the aviation player remains committed to contributing to the Saudi aviation industry’s growth. “ADB SAFEGATE specializes in airport systems and equipment, crucial for Saudi Arabia’s thriving aviation industry, which is forecasted to double in size over the next 10 years.”
The Saudi government’s allocation of SAR 100 billion for aviation investments reinforces Ammar’s sentiment that the sector will continue to grow and drive the Kingdom’s aviation ambitions. As Saudi Arabia continues to invest in and expand its aviation infrastructure, the collaboration between companies like ADB SAFEGATE and AstroLabs demonstrates the synergistic relationship between international leaders and local partners that promises to deliver exceptional results.
Air connectivity is a critical engine of economic growth as the Kingdom strategically positions itself as a major tourism and logistic hub. By 2030, Saudi Arabia is set to bring in 150 million visitors annually, and a large part of this vision is to build airport capacity to accommodate 330 million fliers a year, improve the customer experience at airports, and expand existing facilities.
As such, the Kingdom continues to host major players in the aviation industry, most prominently ABD SAFEGATE, with the latter setting new benchmarks in the industry for years to come.