Saudi Arabia's Global Airports Forum (GAF) Receives 200 Nominations from 23 Countries for Airport Excellence Awards

The Global Airports Forum (GAF), taking place in Riyadh on December 16 and 17, has received an impressive 200 nominations from 23 countries for the 3rd Airport Excellence Awards. Organized by Niche Ideas and held under the main sponsorship of Matarat Holding, GAF recognizes outstanding innovation, operational excellence, and industry transformation across the global aviation sector.

The impressive diversity of nominations underscores global recognition of the aviation industry’s role in addressing capacity, sustainability, security, and digital advancements. Notably, Saudi Arabia’s strong representation features companies including Al Khalejiah Catering, Almabani General Contractors, Alvest Arabia Equipment Services, Etihad Salam, MAFA, METCO, Samana Special Mission, and Saudi Scales and Equipment, in addition to regional branches of global leaders such as SITA, Surbana Consultants, UNITED ATS, and Black Arrow Trading and Services, highlighting the Kingdom’s commitment and contribution towards advancing the global aviation sector.

Held at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre (RICEC), this 4th edition of GAF brings together aviation innovators, operators, and decision makers. The Airport Excellence Awards (AEA) will honor the best industry players across 10 distinct categories, including - Air Connectivity & Route Development, Airport Design and Infrastructure, Airport Retail & Commercial Partnerships, Airport Security, Airport Staff Training & Human Capital Development, Baggage Handling, Ground Support Solutions, Innovation and Technology, Passenger Experience, and Sustainability and Environment.

Daksha Patel, Event Director at Niche Ideas, remarked: “Despite having some legacy systems still in use, aviation has remained one of the world’s most innovative industries. GAF considers innovation as a key aspect of aligning with Saudi Arabia’s goals of aviation excellence and delivering a valuable experience to our attendees.”

She added, “The Airport Excellence Awards (AEA) recognize and showcase those game-changing’ ideas and technologies that are helping our industry remain at the forefront of progress. We are pleased that global aviation companies are able to use this platform to highlight these innovations and directly engage with key airport decision-makers to take their business growth to new levels.”

International nominees include aviation leaders Skyportz, ADB Safegate, Groupe ADP, IDEMIA Public Security, BEUMER Group, Adani Airports, GMR Airports,

Leonardo SpA, Daifuku Co., Ltd., Vanderlande, Plaza Premium Group, and

Datalogic S.P.A, amongst others, demonstrating the awards’ global appeal.

Saudi airports are seeing massive expansions and upgrade programmes to meet their exceptional future growth forecasts. In 2024, an all-time record-breaking

128 million passengers were handled by Saudi airports, a 15 percent year-on- year increase, alongside a 10 percent rise in flight activity, and a 34 percent boost in air cargo, to reach 1.2 million tonnes.

The Kingdom has plans to spend over US$100 billion in its aviation sector, including US$50+ billion for developing airports to become a global aviation hub connecting 250 destinations worldwide and attracting 330 million annual passengers and 4.5 million tons of cargo handling by 2030.

Saudi airports in January 2025 kicked off the world’s largest passenger flow tech rollout through an advanced LiDAR and passenger flow management solution. In October this year, Saudi Arabia also launched the region’s first Virtual ATC Tower at Al Ula Airport, to be managed remotely from Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport, more than 373 miles away.

Cirium, the world’s leading source of aviation analytics, in a report, Saudi Arabia Rising, noted: “There have been many ground-breaking announcements coming out of Saudi Arabia in the past two to three years about new investments and initiatives.” The country’s Airport Operations market size is projected to reach US$352 million by 2030. Unveiled in 2016, Vision 2030’s goals include expansion and modernization of the airports and technological advancements across the aviation domains.

Global Airports Forum is the region’s largest B2B airport industry platform that will feature over 250 exhibitors from 100+ countries, along with 8,000+ participants. GAF 2025 will see four new features: Future GSE Display, Airport Innovation Hub, Airport Innovation Trail and Startups Hub, alongside two international conferences, Airport Buyer Meetings Programme and the Airport Excellence Awards. The event’s business and knowledge enhancing platforms are being sponsored by a number of prominent international airports, airlines, ground handlers and global industry players.

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