Daijiworld Media Network- Jeddah

Jeddah, Sep 5: In a historic first for Saudi Arabia, a successful trial of drone-based parcel delivery was carried out in Jeddah this week, signalling a major leap toward faster and smarter logistics solutions. The pilot project marks the Kingdom’s first official experiment using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for postal services.

The initiative was jointly overseen by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and the Transport General Authority (TGA), under the patronage of Dr. Rumaih Al-Rumaih, Vice Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Acting President of TGA.

While GACA ensured compliance with aviation safety standards, TGA monitored regulatory aspects of the postal sector, creating a collaborative framework for the project.

Calling it a “significant leap”, Dr. Al-Rumaih said the trial paves the way for advanced delivery solutions aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of digital transformation and economic diversification.

Officials stressed that drone deliveries could dramatically reduce delivery times, improve efficiency, support sustainability, and enhance adaptability in the logistics sector.

Captain Suleiman Al-Muheimidi, Executive VP for Aviation Safety at GACA, described the trial as a “breakthrough”, noting that it was backed by updated aviation safety regulations now aligned with international bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Authorities confirmed that this was only the beginning, with plans to scale up drone deliveries across urban and rural areas, introduce new regulatory frameworks, and partner with private operators to expand services.

With this trial, Saudi Arabia has positioned itself as a regional leader in logistics innovation, blending speed, technology, and sustainability to meet the demands of a modern economy.