Airbus Defence and Space has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cluster 2, a key operator of 22 international and domestic airports in Saudi Arabia, to deliver next-generation digital solutions aimed at improving airport operations, efficiency, and security.
The agreement was formalised during the Paris Air Show, in a ceremony attended by H.E. Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), alongside Wouter Van Wersch, EVP of Airbus International, and Gabriel Semelas, President of Airbus in the Middle East and Africa.
Representing Cluster 2, Mr. Saad A. Alajlan, General Manager of Commercial Operations and Business Development, was also present to endorse the strategic collaboration.
At the heart of the agreement is the implementation of Agnet Turnaround, Airbus’ advanced airport coordination platform. Designed to facilitate real-time communication and situational awareness among airport teams, Agnet Turnaround will help streamline workflows, reduce delays, and enhance passenger experiences across Cluster 2’s extensive airport network.
Boosting On-Time Performance and Safety
Through digitalisation and automation, the partnership will address common challenges in daily airport operations — including the coordination of ground staff, security teams, and control rooms. The system’s multi-channel communication capabilities are expected to support On Time Performance (OTP) improvements and faster response to incidents or emergencies.
Antoun Farra, Managing Director of Airbus Defence and Space in Saudi Arabia, highlighted the long-term vision behind the partnership:
“This partnership underscores our commitment to driving digital innovation in aviation. With Agnet Turnaround, we are enabling smarter, safer, and more connected airports that align with the Kingdom’s vision for the future of transportation.”
Eng. Badr Al-Dalami, CEO of Cluster 2, affirmed the initiative’s strategic significance for the Kingdom’s aviation sector:
“Airports are vital gateways to the Kingdom, and digital transformation is at the heart of our strategy. Partnering with Airbus allows us to enhance safety, reduce response times and create a unified operations ecosystem across our airports.”
Vision Aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Transport Future
This MoU aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 strategy, which includes elevating the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics and aviation hub through digital innovation and world-class infrastructure.
Airbus’ involvement is expected to support this national agenda by embedding cutting-edge technology into critical transport nodes, fostering both operational excellence and passenger-centric services.
With implementation plans already underway, the collaboration between Airbus and Cluster 2 marks a significant milestone in the modernisation of aviation infrastructure in the Gulf.
