The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) in partnership with the British Embassy, Riyadh and the British Aviation Group is currently scoping the feasibility of an UK Airport sector trade mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in November 2026. The trade mission EOI is open to all companies across the UK Airport supply chain, who are looking to establish new and strengthen existing partnerships in Saudi Arabia.
Mission Dates
Whilst tentative, the mission would be expected to run from Sunday 29th November – Thursday 3rd December 2026.
Mission Programme
The mission would take place over three to four working days across Riyadh and Jeddah. Delegates would be expected to arrive in Riyadh on Sunday 29 November 2026 ahead of the official start of the programme on Monday 30 November 2026. Day 1 will be centred on the Global Airports Forum, with participants benefiting from a full day of activity including engagement at the UK Pavilion, alongside briefing sessions and roundtable discussions taking place on the sidelines of the event. On Day 2 (1 December 2026), delegates will attend meetings with key Saudi aviation stakeholders and clients, including GACA, King Salman International Airport (KSIA), Cluster 2, and other relevant organisations, before taking an evening flight to Jeddah. On Day 3 (2 December 2026), the programme will continue with meetings with key clients and stakeholders in Jeddah. There will be flexibility to extend the visit by an additional half day if required. Subject to any extension, the mission is expected to conclude in the late afternoon of 2 December 2026, after which delegates will be free to depart or arrange and attend any additional meetings independently.
EOI Instructions
- Submission of an EOI does not constitute acceptance.
- If the trade mission takes place, all EOIs will be reviewed and shortlisted. BIST retains the right to review and select appropriate participants.
- Where demand exceeds available places, participants will be selected with a view to creating a diverse and representative UK delegation. Consideration will be given to factors including company size (SMEs and larger businesses), geographic representation across the UK, sector capabilities, and diversity and inclusion objectives.
- Each organisation can nominate one delegate to take part in the delegation. Please provide contact details for the person nominated to take part in the delegation.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please complete the Expression of Interest. The deadline for responses is 18:00 (GMT) on Friday 25th September 2026
If you have any questions, please get in touch with Nowell.Toma@businessandtrade.gov.uk and Mohammed.Farooq@fcdo.gov.uk.
Mission Terms
If the mission goes ahead, companies will not be considered for the mission without agreeing to the following terms:
- Participation requires a £500 OMIS charge.
- Participants will be responsible for funding their own international and domestic travel, airport transfers, accommodation, subsistence, transfers to and from the British Embassy or Consulate (if applicable) and appropriate travel insurance.
- BIST will provide in-country meeting support as hosts and transfers between the British Embassy or Consulate and the meeting venues.
- The mission programme content and schedule are subject to amendment. Any changes will be communicated to participants by BIST.
- Information provided in the EOI, by successful applicants, will be included in a delegate booklet which will be shared with Saudi Arabian stakeholders ahead of the visit
