Daijiworld Media Network – Jeddah

Jeddah, Sep 5: In a milestone for Saudi Arabia’s logistics sector, authorities have successfully carried out the Kingdom’s first official trial of drone-based parcel delivery in Jeddah, signaling a shift toward faster, safer and more sustainable postal services.

The pilot project was launched under the patronage of Dr Rumaih Al-Rumaih, Vice Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Acting President of the Transport General Authority (TGA). It was jointly executed by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and TGA, with GACA overseeing aviation safety and operations, while TGA handled postal regulations and supportive legislation.

Dr Al-Rumaih hailed the trial as a “significant leap” for the Kingdom’s infrastructure, stressing that drone delivery aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and digital transformation goals. Officials said the technology can reduce delivery times, improve efficiency, support sustainability, and make postal systems more adaptable to consumer and technological needs.

Captain Suleiman Al-Muheimidi, Executive Vice President for Aviation Safety and Environmental Sustainability at GACA, called the test a “breakthrough” backed by updated aviation safety frameworks. GACA recently revised its drone regulations in line with global standards set by ICAO and EASA, ensuring safe operations in Saudi airspace.

Authorities said this was only the beginning, with future plans including wider drone deployment across rural and urban areas, new commercial regulations, and collaboration with private logistics operators. By embracing UAV technology, Saudi Arabia aims to establish itself as a regional leader in logistics innovation.