RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – November 25, 2025: The General Aviation Airshow 2025 “Sand & Fun”, the Middle East’s largest general aviation event, officially opened today at Al Thumamah airport in Riyadh, hosted by the Saudi Aviation Club. The event underscores the Kingdom’s position as a global center for innovation and strategic partnerships in the general aviation sector.

The opening day was attended by His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Founder and Board Chairman of the SAC, and His Excellency Dr. Ahmad bin Fahd AlFuheid, Member of the Board and General Supervisor of the club, alongside international aviation leaders and high-ranking officials.

The airshow commenced with an imposing opening ceremony at 3:00 PM, featuring a cultural military performance by a 300-soldier orchestra. This was followed by stunning aerial displays, highlighted by a breathtaking performance from the F-15SA jet, lighting up the Riyadh sky in celebration of the opening day.

In a move to boost economic growth aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, the club announced that 18 agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are scheduled for signing during the event that have an economic impact that exceeds 250 million Saudi Riyals, focusing on technology transfer and the localization of advanced aviation industries. This effort is strongly supported by strategic partners, including Cluster 2, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), and Health Holding Company, among others, confirming their commitment to accelerating sector growth.

His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz stated: “The General Aviation Airshow 2025 ‘Sand & Fun’ airshow is an embodiment of the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to transforming general aviation from a specialized interest into a strategic force driving growth in the region. We are not just showcasing progress; we are establishing a global hub for innovation and talent development, ensuring the realization of Saudi Vision 2030’s goals to empower our youth and contribute to the economic future of our nation”.

The first day’s “Hangar Talks” Program focused on leadership and strategy in aviation. His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman delivered the opening keynote address at 1:00 PM. The agenda included a crucial update on the Saudi general aviation industry featuring His Excellency Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, President of GACA, alongside sessions discussing the aviation experience living in Saudi Arabia and guidance on flight instruction, aircraft restoration, and career choices. Starting tomorrow (November 26), the GACA’s specialized educational program “Safe Flight” will commence, focusing on aviation legislation, pilot licensing, and safety requirements.

The Saudi Aviation Club emphasized the airshow as a platform for everyone, reiterating the complimentary admission initiative for people with disabilities and children under the age of six. Visitors will enjoy over 90 aerial displays, explore cutting-edge technology like eVTOLs and AI applications in the learning and entertainment area, and witness the vast static displays and exhibitions featuring over 150 exhibitors. Attention is also turning toward the scheduled attempt to break a Guinness World Records™ title between November 26 and 28, confirming the Kingdom’s dedication to aerial entertainment innovation.

The General Aviation Airshow 2025 “Sand & Fun” forms a huge operational and investment value, where the total cost for the exhibited aircrafts and equipment in this edition exceeded 3 billion Saudi Riyals. And in confirmation of the airshow’s role in empowering national competencies, more than 70 thousand work hours were recorded with a direct contribution from the Saudi youth in the stage of preparation and organization, which embodies a real contribution in creating innovative work opportunities. And practically, the operational dimensions of the exhibition highlight its size as a global platform, as its total exhibition area exceeds 100 thousand square meters, with the allocation of 10 thousand square meters for the interior and internal exhibitions and activities, which confirms the tangible economic impact for it and its logistical volume.

The General Aviation Airshow 2025 Sand & Fun will conclude its activities at Al Thumamah airport on 29 November, 2025 in Riyadh, featuring over 90 aerial displays and a wide array of interactive activities, attracting over 200,000 visitors to the entertainment zones. Visitors can witness in this year’s airshow, with rich and inspiring experiences blending spectacular aerial displays with deep educational content, including:

• Aerial Displays (Sky Ventures): Features over 90 dazzling air displays, including performances by specialized nightly shows illuminating the Riyadh sky.
• Static Displays: These displays offer a unique and direct experience for aviation enthusiasts, allowing visitors to get up close with a collection of iconic aircrafts and explore their complex details firsthand. Visitors will have the opportunity to engage directly with pilots and engineers, learning the secrets of the aviation world and taking memorable photos in this exciting and educational environment.
• Exhibitions: The Exhibitions serve as a vital business hub and strategic center within the airshow, featuring over 150 leading exhibitors showcasing the latest technologies and innovations in the general aviation sector. This zone is dedicated to technical and commercial aspects, facilitating high-value partnerships and supporting joint ventures between local and international companies, in alignment with the Kingdom’s economic development goals.
• Hangar Talks: “Hangar Talks” host elite experts and Saudi astronauts to discuss the future of sustainable general aviation and advanced technologies such as electric vertical take-off and landing aircrafts (eVTOLs), autonomous aircrafts, and artificial intelligence applications.
• Terminal X: An advanced technology and activities plaza strategically located at the heart of the General Aviation Airshow 2025 “Sand & Fun”. The zone introduces a new dimension to the airshow, merging innovation, entertainment, and aviation culture. Every experience is engineered to make visitors feel the sensation of flight, through eXtended Reality XR, projection mapping, interactive storytelling, dynamic light, and drone shows.

The airshow is an essential hub for networking, having attracted over 150 exhibitors and more than 3,000 VIP visitors and international delegations in its previous edition. In the context of reinforcing the airshow’s status as a vital business and partnership platform, the club will be joined by the Saudi Ballooning Federation, Cluster2, and the General Authority of Civil Aviation, along with Health Holding Company, and Al Eqtisadiah newspaper as strategic partners and sponsors. This reflects the integration between the public and private sectors to drive growth in line with Saudi Vision 2030. The Saudi Aviation Club invites everyone to join this remarkable journey that embeds aviation as a national culture.