Contributor - Middle East

Peter Shaw-Smith

When the Saudi General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-05-01/saudis-gaca-lifts-air-charter-cabotage-restrictions">announced in May</a> that it was removing cabotage restrictions on foreign operators, the international business aviation community immediately sensed the opportunity of a lifetime—tempered by the realization that an immense amount of work needs to be done to bring Saudi general aviation up to speed.
Awad Al-Salmi, GACA's deputy CEO for economic policies and logistics, said issuing a foreign operator certificate to the first bizjet company to operate domestically in Saudi Arabia would enhance competition, stimulate sector growth, and improve service quality.
Imtiyaz Manzary, GACA’s general manager of general aviation, said the authority is working to remove restrictions on the operation of charter flights, but he faces an immense task to marshal the resources required to coordinate the interlocking pieces of the jigsaw.
According to official figures, the sector saw 24% growth in movements last year, up from 19,000 flights in 2023 to 23,500 in 2024. Domestic movements increased 26% to more than 9,200 flights, while international movements rose 15% to 14,400 flights. Major airports led growth: Jeddah saw bizjet traffic increase 30%, Riyadh 22%, and Dammam 7%, according to official statistics.
In August, <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/2025-08-20/saudi-arabia-clears-vistajet-domestic-charter-flights">VistaJet</a> became the first foreign charter provider to get clearance for cabotage rights.&nbsp;Ian Moore, chief commercial officer at parent Vista Global, sees the move as a major breakthrough. Its General Authority of Civil Aviation Regulations (GACAR ) Part 129 foreign operator certificate will allow it to connect key Saudi cities and emerging destinations while integrating into its global floating fleet model.
“VistaJet has been active in and around the Kingdom for more than 15 years, with consistently strong growth—even before this milestone, we had seen a 32% year-on-year increase in membership in the first half of 2025, which shows the appetite for the unmatched connectivity and service that we offer,” he said.
Early indications point to strong demand from Saudi customers seeking the flexibility of private aviation without the capital tie-up of ownership, and international travelers who can now use VistaJet to move between Riyadh and Jeddah, to the Red Sea, or to other major Vision 2030 projects, Moore believes.
“Looking ahead, we see this milestone as more than a regulatory success—it is the next stage of private aviation in Saudi Arabia,” he said. “It strengthens connectivity, accelerates investment, supports tourism, and positions VistaJet to play a defining role in one of the most dynamic markets in the world.”
Domestic players have greeted the development cautiously. NasJet sees the government as its primary charter client base, while Aviation Horizons hopes the playing field will remain level as it opts to develop its charter business, eschewing aircraft management over concerns about foreign incursion into that business.
“Let domestic operators up their game; competition is healthy,” said Yosef Hafiz, v-p of sales and marketing for NasJet Private Aviation, Commercial. “[Competition will help us] do better and raise our standards higher—to the worldwide standard.”
Saudi Arabia does need the capacity, as too few aircraft are based there, he said. “We will not have enough aircraft unless the Public Investment Fund or a similar entity takes the initiative to establish a company—a champion. We've only seen [a] champion in helicopters: The [PIF-owned] Helicopter Company.”
Other foreign operators could enter, but competitors for VistaJet have yet to be identified. “I've been told verbally by [GACA] that this is an arrangement for only three years. From May 1, 2025, to April 30, 2028, they will allow foreign operators,” Hafiz said. “Then, they're going to ask them to establish a local AOC. They will [then] become [local operators].”
“From my perspective and from that of any Saudi operator, we welcome the competition—fair competition,” said Mohammed Bokhari, co-founder and CEO of Aviation Horizons, Jeddah.&nbsp;He hopes foreign firms will operate under the same conditions as Saudi ones. In addition to 15% VAT, VistaJet is expected to face a requirement to pay 20% corporate tax. “We have been discussing with GACA how they will implement these changes. All we’ve heard is an announcement. Maybe [VistaJet alone will enter], or perhaps one more company.”
Sector development is a daunting prospect for GACA acting alone, he said. Growing the market requires cooperation from different ministries: transportation, investment, foreign affairs, and interior, and other organizations, to support GACA’s ongoing effort.
Bokhari said formation of a commission would help the authorities to speed up decision-making. “The GACA is having difficulties dealing with all kinds of regulations on employment, HR, and other areas. For their plans to be effective, they need everybody’s cooperation. A committee should be formed for everyone to work together towards that goal.”
<h2>Crucial Phase</h2>
The Kingdom’s general aviation sector is entering a crucial phase. In May 2024, at the Future of Aviation Conference, GACA launched its General Aviation Roadmap, aimed at developing the general aviation sector and its contribution to GDP. The goal is tenfold growth, reaching $2 billion by 2030, while creating 35,000 jobs.
But it is clear that the priority of GACA President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej is a laser focus on scheduled aviation, leaving general aviation jostling for position. In January, he won a second term, a reappointment that has seldom occurred in recent decades. His predecessor, Abdulhadi Almansouri, served for fewer than two years in the role.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, Mohammed Al-Khuraisi, another GACA deputy CEO, said the roadmap offers private aviation investment prospects worth $2 billion for investors, operators, manufacturers, and service providers.
Little information has been forthcoming on the build-out of infrastructure plans involving six new general aviation airports and nine new private terminals (FBOs), although two smaller airports have now been officially designated as general aviation-only facilities.
GACA has nominated Malham Airport (OESL), host to the biannual World Defense Show since 2022, as one of six general aviation airports designed to serve private flights into Riyadh. Located 70 km (44 miles) north of the capital, it will be close enough to challenge the likely dominance of King Salman International Airport, due to be fully operational in 2030.
The roadmap specifies other general aviation-only airports in Jeddah (OEJN), Neom Bay Airport (OENN). Makkah, and Amaala (no ICAO codes). Formerly designated Jubail Naval Airport, Jubail Airport (OEJB) has also been officially selected by GACA as a general aviation airport.
Nine FBOs are also to become operational in due course, but to date, Jetex’s undertaking to <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-12-09/jetex-signs-first-saudi-fbo">set up a facility at Red Sea International Airport</a> (OERS) is the only new deal that has come to light. Jetex expects the Red Sea facility to open later this year.
Adel Mardini, founder and CEO, told AIN Jetex hoped to make further announcements concerning its Saudi business after press time in October. Incumbents Jet Aviation and Saudia Private Aviation are legacy FBO operators expected to continue to dominate the market, but many believe the time is right for increased competition on the ground.
<h2>Cautiously Optimistic</h2>
“The international response to GACA’s call for investment in Saudi Arabia’s business aviation infrastructure has been cautiously optimistic,” Abdullah Aljawini, managing director, Riyadh-based Dawli Aerospace, told AIN.
“It was marked by growing interest but challenged by regulatory and operational complexities that included, for example, market access,” he said. “However, investors remain in an exploratory phase, conducting feasibility studies, forming local partnerships, and awaiting clearer regulatory frameworks before committing capital.” &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
He said Saudi Arabia’s business aviation sector is no longer a "‘closed jewel.’&nbsp;The sector is opening to the world with the terms of engagement continuing to improve. Saudi Arabia’s strategic business outlook aims for a diversified local and foreign investor base.”
Sector participants have seen the market recover from <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-12-11/saudi-ga-plan-20-will-take-time">earlier travails</a>, fueled by an increase in private sector activity. Mohammed Husary, founder and executive president, UAS International Trip Support, said demand for and confidence in general aviation were growing.&nbsp;“There's been a massive improvement in operational processes, particularly regarding permits, slots, and coordination. Authorities are more efficient, lead times have reduced, and operators are experiencing more consistency and reliability. Key hubs like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Neom are getting serious infrastructural investment, and we are seeing companies investing in more MRO, FBOs, and VIP services,” he said.
“I'm highly optimistic about 2026 and concur with the projected double-digit growth of the market. We're going to see greater involvement from international operators, more regional airport demand, as well as investment in local services. Hopefully, more regulatory streamlining will create an even more attractive operating environment.” &nbsp;
<h2>World Top 20</h2>
Rolland Vincent, president of Rolland Vincent Associates and JetNet iQ creator, told AIN Saudi Arabia is home to almost 150 turbine-powered business aircraft, ranking it in the world’s top 20 countries. Fully 70% of business aircraft based in the Kingdom are business jets, and of those, 73% are in the large jet segment, almost twice the world average.
With ambitious investment projects like Neom underway, the Saudi government’s Vision 2030 strategy, including public-private partnerships, appears to be working. “New airports, FBO and MRO facilities, and luxury hotels are contributing to growth in business jet flight activity, up by 24% year-on-year in 2024,” he said.
“While the Saudi-based in-service fleet includes a relatively high proportion of government-owned and -operated aircraft, the opportunities to grow the fleet with new mid- and long-range business jets and bizliners are obvious.” &nbsp;&nbsp;
John Hewett, regional v-p EMEA for Universal Weather and Aviation, said the company decided to establish Universal Weather and Aviation Arabia earlier this year, with the expectation of becoming operationally ready before the end of 2025, initially in Riyadh. “Saudi Arabia is one of the most dynamic and exciting GA markets globally, with an unprecedented scale of investment and reform,” he said.
General aviation airport projects remain at different stages of planning and development, he believes. Flagship giga-project Neom is attracting significant investment, though finalized development plans have not yet been confirmed. Earlier this year, infrastructure plans were announced for new hangar and GA terminal facilities at Jeddah and Dammam.
“Universal has expressed strong interest in contributing to these opportunities, and we expect further news soon," he said. "Jeddah and Dammam, the second and third busiest airports by traffic, will complement our [ground handling and concierge] services in Riyadh. Local authorities have indicated their ambition to have new facilities operational by early 2026.”
<h2>High-Profile Events</h2>
Jet Aviation established a presence in Saudi Arabia in 1979, with a Saudi-Swiss joint venture that became the first company to set up an FBO in the Kingdom.
Hardy Butschi, v-p of regional operations Middle East, said strategic investments in projects such as Neom, the Red Sea Project and Al-Ula, and the establishment of an increasing number of high-profile entertainment and sports events—for example Formula E, boxing, and music concerts—were all fostering growth in tourism, entertainment and business, increasing VIP international travel and boosting demand for business aviation.
“The country is continuing to make efforts to increase foreign investment, and the influx of multinational companies establishing regional headquarters in Riyadh is further boosting activity in the industry,” he said.&nbsp;“Since 2023, the Saudi aviation authority has continued to implement measures that foster the growth of business aviation, such as lifting restrictions on the commercialization of empty legs and simplifying the economic license requirements for operators and investors by removing the requirement for a Saudi partner in maintenance and FBO services.”
Air Charter Service opened an office in Riyadh in September. “Demand for domestic charters varies widely—from smaller eight-seat jets used for quick executive trips, to larger aircraft such as Boeing 737s chartered to transport sports teams or larger groups across the Kingdom,” Elie Hanna, Middle East CEO told AIN.
The focus of The Helicopter Company (THC) is on developing a civil helicopter industry in Saudi Arabia that is aligned with Vision 2030, supporting major projects and expanding a national emergency medical service, chief commercial officer AJ Baker told AIN. New aircraft arrivals have allowed the sale of older models, facilitated by Rotortrade, a helicopter sales specialist wholly owned by THC.
Its fleet ranges between 60 and 70 aircraft, including Leonardo AW139s and Airbus H160s, H145s, and H125s. In 2025, more than 25 new helicopters were received, replacing 15 older units. The company plans 15 deliveries and five to 10 releases in 2026. Urban Air Mobility passenger services are also planned. Future growth involves night vision goggle operations, surveying programs, and upcoming mergers and acquisitions expanding operations beyond Saudi Arabia.
THC generally meets market demands but may partner with foreign operators for specific needs. “There are many unique circumstances to be faced for emerging operations here, and these pose challenges for foreign entities. THC looks to partner with foreign operators where a specific aircraft type or a specific skill or experience need is identified,” Baker said.
Underscoring the attractiveness of the Saudi market, the Corporate Jet Investor Riyadh conference is set to take place for the first time on December 10 to 11.
While Saudi Arabia’s aviation strategy emphasizes scheduled passenger traffic, Universal’s Hewett said general aviation is not being overlooked and is seen as a vital enabler of business connectivity, tourism, and giga-project development.&nbsp;“Service provision has already improved notably in 2024, and GACA’s roadmap recognizes GA’s strategic importance alongside commercial aviation. GACA has also been extremely supportive of Universal’s ambitions to enter the Saudi market and of the vital role GA plays in complementing commercial aviation,” he said.
JetNet iQ’s Vincent said it is exciting to witness the emergence of business aviation as an important component of the Saudi government’s Vision 2030 strategy. “Recent examples of bizav successes in nearby UAE and Qatar offer glimpses of what is possible for the Kingdom to achieve in the months and years to come,” he concluded.

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