GACA kicks off harmonized air travel policy, in cooperation with ICAO

GACA President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) announced its initiative to unify procedures and policies regarding health requirements to support the aviation sector's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The initiative was developed in cooperation with the UN's International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), in an attempt to unify procedures for ease of work related to international travel.

It seeks to create a single digital source that provides the latest information and developments clearly and transparently and defines entry requirements for all participating countries.

The authority is also working to develop a framework aimed at making international travel easier by removing confusion related to travel requirements.

The initiative will be presented to the ICAO's general assembly, with the aim of obtaining approval from member states in October.

Speaking at the Future Aviation Forum in Riyadh, GACA President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej said that the pandemic revealed the extent of the lack of coordination between countries at the global level. He added that many people chose not to travel in 2021 and 2022 due to confusing health requirements when traveling from one country to another.