Saudi Arabia opens private aviation market to foreign operators

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An aeroplane taxis at the King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In a major move to open up the domestic aviation market, General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of Saudi Arabia announced the opening of domestic private aviation market to international operators by announcing the removal of cabotage restrictions for foreign on-demand charter flights within the Kingdom.

The move is in line with GACA’s strategy to boost domestic private jet market, supported by the establishment of a sector development committee to engage international and domestic business jet operators.

“GACA is unlocking new opportunities for the global aviation industry, by removing restrictions on charter flight businesses to operate domestically in the Kingdom,” said Imtiyaz Manzary, general manager for general aviation at GACA. “This regulatory decision supports GACA’s roadmap to establish Saudi Arabia as a general aviation hub, alongside an unprecedented infrastructure program to establish new private airports and terminals across the Kingdom.”

The policy will come into effect from May 1, 2025, will allow foreign charter operators to apply for permission to operate domestic flights, following specific requirements set by GACA.

In addition to the removal of cabotage, the Kingdom’s aviation authority also announced a national General Aviation Sector Development committee to enhance the country’s proposition as a general aviation hub, including international private aviation investors, operators, and service providers.

The committee will engage on infrastructure planning and regulatory processes, to enhance the Kingdom’s general aviation sector value proposition.

Earlier in May last year, the GACA released its General Aviation Roadmap was launched which included a comprehensive transformation programme to develop the general aviation sector into a $2bn industry by 2030.

The roadmap envisages significant growth in the country’s aviation sector especially private aviation. As part of the roadmap, the country is planning to deliver six dedicated business aviation airports and a further nine dedicated business aviation terminals.

In order to support increase movement from the business jets, the country has also announced various steps to increase the number of business aviation fixed-base operators and maintenance, repair and overhaul capacity for business jets.

Saudi Arabia’s business jet sector achieved a record 24% jump in flight volumes in 2024 to 23,612 flights, with domestic jet flights rising 26% to 9,206 and international jet flights rising 15% to 14,406.

Cabotage restrictions prohibit foreign airlines from providing service between two points within another country.

Earlier in October of 2023, the GACA also announced various regulations to reform the country’s aviation sector including the removal of ‘empty-leg’ restrictions, streamlining economic licenses for air transport operations and relaxation in requirements for airport operators and investors.

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