Saudi Air Navigation Set Historic Marks in 2024

Since its founding in 2016, Saudi Air Navigation Services Company (SANS) has led the way in aeroplane safe and secure operation.

Ideally, based on five core values—safety, excellence, flexibility, performance enhancement, and customer focus—and leveraging its leadership in safety, efficiency, and technological innovation, its mission is to deliver exceptional air navigation services in compliance with the highest international standards.

A Benchmark for Air Navigation Excellence

As the Saudi Air Navigation Services Company (SANS) implemented several initiatives and enhancements and persisted in raising air navigation safety standards, the firm achieved a remarkable increase in aviation traffic inside the Kingdom in 2024, in line with its ambitious aim.

The company has maintained the level C rating established by the reputable worldwide Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) by upgrading its safety management system.

As acknowledged by international aviation authorities, the firm has also made impressive strides, achieving 95% of level D, indicating its ongoing efforts to use the finest and most recent methods in air safety.

The lack of major or serious incidents regarding the safety of air navigation in Saudi airspace, as confirmed by the navigation company, adds a significant star to its long history of safety. Also, it guarantees the ongoing security of air traffic throughout the Kingdom. This demonstrates the quality of its safety system.

In addition, the overall number of domestic, foreign, and transit flights in 2024 topped 953 thousand, representing a 14% increase over the previous year, resulting in historically high air traffic volumes in Saudi airspace.

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Saudi Arabia is a Global Aviation Hub

In 2024, the total number of domestic, foreign, and transit flights in the Saudi airspace surpassed 953 thousand, representing a 14% increase over the previous year. This is an unparalleled amount of air traffic.

More specifically, on April 14 last year, 3,137 air movements were the most flights in Saudi aviation history, marking a historic accomplishment. On October 26, there were 1,215 air movements, a record amount of transit flights.

The distribution of air traffic was as follows: domestic flights accounted for 261 thousand movements, up 14%; transit flights accounted for 255 thousand, up 22%; and foreign flights accounted for 453 thousand, up 10%.

Moreover, these figures highlight the Kingdom’s significance as a major aviation centre and show how the Kingdom’s civil aviation industry has grown sustainably as a result of ongoing government support, which strengthens the industry’s standing in the international aviation arena.

The unanimous choice of Saudi Air Navigation Services Company (SANS) to host the regional office of the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANO) in Riyadh in 2024 is another noteworthy accomplishment.

This distinguished appointment enhances the Kingdom’s position as a major force in regional civil aviation. Besides, this action will help the Middle East’s air navigation services become more innovative and cooperative.

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SANA: Leadership in Aviation

The company’s achievements go beyond the impressive increase in air traffic; it has also been recognised with 14 regional and international awards and certifications, which attest to its expertise and commitment to the aviation sector.

Among the notable accolades it has achieved are the “Best Places to Work” accreditation for the second consecutive year and first place in the Gulf Cooperation Council nations’ Corporate Happiness Award, particularly in the Diversity and Inclusion category. These honours show how dedicated SANS is to fostering a supportive and welcoming workplace in addition to safety and operational performance.

Notably, the Saudi Air Navigation Company’s innovation in the Maintenance Management System “MMS,” which was created by a group of renowned engineers and technicians, earned it the Excellence and Technical Innovation Award in the Middle East category of Aviation Technology in 2021.

The company’s 2022 Airspace Management Award validated its accomplishment in this field, where it placed second internationally.

In a nutshell, with its unwavering dedication to innovation and expansion, Saudi Air Navigation Services Company (SANS) is confidently getting ready to maintain its position as the region’s aviation industry leader.

Its numerous accomplishments in 2024 provide a strong basis for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation sector to have a prosperous future. The business continues to be at the forefront of this advancement with its commitment to attaining the greatest levels of operational excellence and safety, increasing the bar for ambitions, and gaining leadership.

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