Source Credit: Saudi Expatriates
Foreign private aviation firms will be permitted to run chartered flights to carry domestic passengers within Saudi Arabia, according to a statement released by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) on January 5, 2025. For non-scheduled domestic flights, GACA is allowing foreign private aviation businesses that fulfill the standards to request approval.
The goals of this action are to increase competition, draw in foreign capital, and provide general aviation operators greater freedom. "This decision supports efforts to make Saudi Arabia a regional aviation hub and aligns with infrastructure development plans, including new airports and lounges," said GACA Director General Eng. Imtiaz Manzari.
This constitutional move is in line with the General Aviation Roadmap, which was introduced in May 2024 and intends to create 35,000 jobs and raise the sector's GDP contribution exponentially, reaching $2 billion by 2030. Nine private passenger terminals and six general aviation airports are to be established, according to the roadmap.
In line with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, the lifting of cabotage restrictions is seen as a critical move to maximize empty-leg flights and improve connectivity for both business and tourism. According to GACA the number of flights in the private aircraft industry increased by 24% in 2024, with domestic private jet flights rising by 26%.
