Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • Cranfield University and Saudi Arabia sign civil aviation MoU

Aerospace Events

Cranfield University and Saudi Arabia sign civil aviation MoU

Last week Cranfield University welcomed a delegation from Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and Prince Sultan University, led by His Excellency Abdulaziz Abdullah Al-duailej, President of GACA, wherein they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for ‘cooperation in the field of civil aviation’ between Cranfield University, Prince Sultan University and GACA’s Civil Aviation Academy.

Image courtesy Cranfield

The MoU will not only focus on collaboration in aviation research and development between the organisations but also cover training and development across different aviation fields, including potential opportunities for students from Saudi Arabia to study at Cranfield.

The delegation visited Cranfield University’s facilities including the Digital Aviation and Research Centre (DARTeC), the Digital Air Traffic Control Centre and a look inside the Aerospace Integration Research Centre with the chance to experience the Rolls-Royce Future Systems flight simulator.

Advertisement
ODU RT

The President of GACA also gave a speech to Cranfield staff and students, detailing his vision for the future of Saudi Arabian aviation as a tourism and logistical hub and expressing his admiration for the quality of the facilities he had seen at Cranfield.

The MoU was then signed by Professor Dame Karen Holford DBE FREng, Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor of Cranfield University, Dr Ahmad AlYamani, President of Prince Sultan University, and Ahmed AlZahrani, President of the Saudi Civil Aviation Academy.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Professor Dame Karen Holford said: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a detailed, ambitious vision for the future of aviation which makes them a perfect partner for Cranfield. The future of the air transport sector is shaped through partnerships, and together we can help aviation evolve to meet the challenges of tomorrow.”

Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner
Stansted posts record high May passenger numbers

Aerospace

Stansted posts record high May passenger numbers

11 June 2026

A record-breaking half-term holiday week and thousands of football fans heading to three European cup finals helped London Stansted record its busiest ever May as it welcomed 2.86m passengers during the month.

IFS launches IFS Zero

Aerospace Defence

IFS launches IFS Zero

10 June 2026

IFS has launched IFS Zero, an agentic AI Emissions Operating System designed for asset-intensive industries, such as aerospace and defence, where organisations face pressure to improve emissions reporting and supply chain transparency, with Scope 3 compliance now a contractual requirement.

Smith Detection

Aerospace Security

Smith Detection's SDX 10080 SCT receives UK DfT approval

10 June 2026

Smiths Detection announced today that its SDX 10080 SCT has received UK Department for Transport (DfT) approval for deployment across UK airports and cargo operators for hold baggage and air cargo screening.

Antevia secures JOSCAR accreditation

Aerospace Defence Security Events

Antevia secures JOSCAR accreditation

10 June 2026

Antevia Networks today announced that it has successfully achieved accreditation for JOSCAR (the Joint Supply Chain Accreditation Register), a collaborative tool used by a growing number of prime contractors and buyers in the aerospace, defence and security industry to act as a single repository for pre-qualification and compliance information.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Aston University secures £3.9m to boost aerospace and cybersecurity skills

Aerospace Security

Aston University secures £3.9m to boost aerospace and cybersecurity skills

10 June 2026

Aston University has secured almost £4 million in new funding to improve the UK’s aerospace engineering and cybersecurity skills.

Marshall Aerospace completes initial flight model for Horizon Aircraft’s Cavorite X7

Aerospace

Marshall Aerospace completes initial flight model for Horizon Aircraft’s Cavorite X7

10 June 2026

Marshall Aerospace has successfully completed a flight dynamics and control model to support Horizon Aircraft’s Cavorite X7, a revolutionary dual-use hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft currently in prototype development.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
General Atomics LB