https://arab.news/gepwf
- Saudi Arabia Railways wins two global awards for safety innovation and risk management
- Saudi Air Navigation Services praised by IATA for airspace resilience during crisis
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s transportation sector has received fresh international recognition after Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) won two prestigious global awards for safety and risk management, while the International Air Transport Association (IATA) commended the Kingdom’s air traffic management performance during recent regional geopolitical developments, according to reports carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The achievements highlight the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to strengthen operational excellence, safety standards, and infrastructure resilience across both rail and aviation sectors in line with international best practices.
SAR recognized for safety and risk management
SAR reinforced its position as a leader in operational safety and risk management by securing two international awards that reflect the institutional transformation it has pursued in recent years.
The railway operator received the Excellence in Digital Transformation of Safety Systems Award from Safe365 and the Risk Team of the Year Award from the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM).
The Safe365 award recognized SAR’s efforts to develop an advanced digital framework for measuring and improving institutional safety culture, while the IIRSM award honored the company’s excellence in implementing risk management practices and enhancing operational safety through an integrated institutional approach.
Saudi Arabia Railways reinforced its position as a leader in operational safety and risk management by securing two international awards. (SPA photo)
The awards underscore SAR’s strategy of embedding safety as a core pillar of its operational and governance framework through a model that combines executive leadership oversight, operational intelligence, predictive analytics, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement.
As part of this transformation, SAR has evolved its approach to safety from a compliance-focused function into a broader organizational culture centered on employee empowerment, shared responsibility, sustainability, operational quality, and performance excellence.
The company has also strengthened governance structures, expanded executive involvement in risk reviews and field inspections, adopted advanced tools to assess safety culture and operational behavior, and leveraged operational intelligence to improve readiness and risk mitigation across its railway network.
IATA commends Saudi air traffic management
In the aviation sector, IATA praised the Kingdom’s efficiency in managing air traffic during recent regional geopolitical developments, citing the sector’s operational readiness and ability to maintain uninterrupted air traffic flow while adhering to the highest standards of safety, security, and efficiency.
The association awarded Saudi Air Navigation Services (SANS) a letter of appreciation and a commemorative plaque in recognition of its efforts in accommodating a significant increase in air traffic while ensuring continuity of operations with minimal disruption.
According to IATA, SANS demonstrated exceptional professionalism in managing air traffic movements and reorganizing air routes amid challenging regional conditions, helping preserve the resilience of Saudi airspace and minimize disruptions for airlines.
The recognition reflects the Kingdom’s growing role as a key transportation and logistics hub connecting global air and rail networks, while underscoring the effectiveness of investments in advanced infrastructure, operational capabilities, and safety systems.
The recognitions, reported separately by SPA, highlight Saudi Arabia’s broader transportation modernization efforts and commitment to world-class standards across its rail and aviation sectors.