Regulations and Government
GACA Opens Saudi Air Charter Market to Foreigners
Changes are set to take effect May 1, 2025
Imtiyaz Manzary portrait
© Imtiyaz Manzary

Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) is removing cabotage restrictions effective May 1, opening the country’s domestic private aviation market to international on-demand charter operators. The decision will allow foreign charter operators to apply for permission to conduct domestic flights within Saudi Arabia, following specific requirements set by GACA.

Opening of the domestic market comes as part of GACA’s General Aviation Roadmap, which aims to transform the sector into a $2 billion industry by 2030, creating 35,000 jobs. Included in the plan is the development of six dedicated business aviation airports and an additional nine business aviation terminals. In 2024, Saudi Arabia’s business jet market saw a 24% increase in flight volumes, with domestic jet flights rising by 26% and international flights increasing by 15%.

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