Contributor - Middle East

Peter Shaw-Smith

Saudi Arabia has 10 aircraft management companies operating on Part 125 certification (private) and six on Part 121 special unscheduled (commercial), and the industry can expect&nbsp;to add 200 helicopters to the fleet, a NasJet official said at&nbsp;Corporate Jet Investor Dubai on Monday.

 


COO Yosef Hafiz said approximately 155 aircraft were in the Saudi fleet in 2017, with an average age of 15.5 years. The fleet reached a peak of around 170 aircraft in 2015, and he expects fleet renewal around 2020.

 


“We had a peak in 2015…and then it&nbsp;dipped down in 2016 and 2017, and we probably expect it to dip even further in 2018 and 2019,” he said. “That's not necessarily a bad thing. There are a lot of changes happening in the market.”

 


Government&nbsp;leaders, especially ministers, are choosing to fly private, he said. Foreign companies will be allowed to set up without a local partner. Megaprojects and entertainment are driving growth.

 


“I know that people are hungry for information [on] what's happening in Saudi Arabia,” he said. “Management companies and operators within Saudi will expand in number in the near future."

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Saudi Arabia Market More Upbeat

The number of aircraft dipped, ahead of an expected fleet renewal next year, says one official.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

AmyWilder

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Deal marks expansion of Jet.AI’s fleet for 2026

Jet.AI Expands Fleet with Three Citation CJ4 Gen2 Jets

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

U.S. start-up recently made a commitment to buy up to 116 of Archer's Midnight aircraft

Future Flight Global Targets Multiple eVTOL Aircraft Use Cases

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

New service is intended to bridge the gap when aircraft are being bought and sold

SkyBridge Offers Aircraft Sellers Use of Fractional Fleet

Sarah Rose

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Company aims to offer access to fleet

Jet Linx Links Up Customers with New Jet Card Program

Chad Trautvetter

Company spreads wings in Asia-Pacific region

RoyalJet Adds Charter Base in Malaysia

Dallas business aircraft services companies combine forces

Leviate Air Acquires Majority Share in Chairman Aviation

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

eVTOL aircraft could carry workers, business leaders, and tourists

Report Calls for Irish Advanced Air Mobility Network

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

More In Charter & Fractional