First GCC Airports CEOs Forum in Muscat Discusses Enhancing Cooperation Among Gulf Airports

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Muscat – Oman Airports

The first Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Airports CEOs Forum was held today, Wednesday, 18 September 2024, in Muscat. Hosted by the Sultanate of Oman, represented by Oman Airports, the forum took place at the St. Regis Al Mouj, Muscat. The forum aimed to strengthen cooperation between GCC airports in areas such as innovation, technology, youth investment, and enhancing safety, security, training, and supply chain standards.

Sheikh Aimen bin Ahmed Al Hosni, CEO of Oman Airports, welcomed the participating CEOs, emphasizing the importance of the forum as a starting point for regional efforts toward integration in the airport sector, given the strategic importance that GCC airports hold on the global aviation map. Al Hosni stated, "This forum serves as a vital platform for exchanging expertise and fostering cooperation between Gulf airports, especially in areas like innovation, technology, youth investment, and the enhancement of safety, security, and shared supply chains. Our goals and objectives are aligned across all GCC airports, and this unity is the foundation on which we strive to achieve global leadership as key hubs in international aviation."

Al Hosni added, "We are on the verge of a new phase of sustainable growth, which requires the collective efforts of all. Today, we have established working groups to address all the topics discussed during the forum and to prepare a roadmap ahead of our second annual meeting, which will be hosted in Riyadh at a date to be determined next year, God willing. We hope these efforts will succeed in further strengthening this Gulf-wide cooperation, in line with the economic development strategies of the GCC countries, and in enhancing the leading position of our airports."

The forum resulted in several key outcomes aimed at strengthening integration among GCC airports, including the formation of joint working groups focused on innovation, technology, youth investment, enhancing safety and security standards, creating shared training opportunities, and developing common supply chains.

At the conclusion of the forum, participants emphasized the importance of continuing this constructive dialogue and transforming the forum's outcomes into actionable initiatives. They expressed their hope that the forum would become a permanent annual platform for enhancing cooperation and integration among Gulf airports. Looking ahead, participants noted that the next phase will focus on strategic collaboration to address future challenges in the aviation sector, with a particular emphasis on innovation, synergy, and learning from the experiences of member airports to ensure sustainable growth.

Participants praised the outstanding organization and traditional Omani hospitality provided by Oman Airports, expressing optimism about the promising future of the Gulf aviation sector. They affirmed that the outcomes of this forum would serve as a foundation for joint efforts to strengthen the global position of GCC airports and support the GCC countries’ vision of becoming major hubs for aviation and air transport.