Aviation provides $90bn boost to Saudi economy
May 6, 2025
Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector contributed more than $90 billion to the national economy in 2023 and supported four million jobs, according to new data published by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) at Aviation Day MENA.
The report, The Value of Air Transport in Saudi Arabia, outlines the growing importance of air connectivity to the Kingdom’s economic development as it pursues its Vision 2030 strategy to diversify away from oil.
Including direct, indirect, and induced impacts, such as supply chain activity, employee spending, and tourism, aviation was responsible for $90.6 billion in GDP last year, equal to 8.5% of the country’s economic output.
Job creation across the sector is also significant. Of the four million jobs attributed to aviation and its related industries, 62,000 are directly employed by airlines operating in the Kingdom. In addition, air cargo reached over 713,000 tonnes in 2023, highlighting the country’s growing role in global freight logistics.
“Aviation is a catalyst for economic and social development. Saudi Arabia has understood this and is using connectivity as a key element of its national economic strategy under Vision 2030. Already, aviation supports 1.4 million jobs and 8.5% of the Kingdom’s GDP. This contributes substantially to the Kingdom’s prosperity today, and that will grow with investments, including those for infrastructure and talent development. Continued prioritization of aviation as a strategic sector supported by global standards, competitive costs and smart regulation will enhance Saudi Arabia’s global competitiveness, economic performance, and social development,” said Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and Middle East.
IATA’s report identifies three strategic areas for Saudi Arabia to focus on in order to sustain and expand aviation’s contribution. These include maintaining alignment with global standards, ensuring aviation infrastructure projects remain cost-competitive, and strengthening talent pipelines to support growth.
The organisation also highlighted recent cooperation with local partners to train more than 1,000 aviation graduates and employees.
