SAUDI ARABIA OFFICIALLY OPENS DOMESTIC AVIATION MARKET TO INTERNATIONAL CHARTER FLIGHT OPERATORS 

Riyadh, 01 May 2025 – Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has officially removed cabotage restrictions on charter flight operations, with several international business and private jet operators already applying for permits to operate flights within the Kingdom.  

The decision, effective 1 May 2025, marks a major milestone in GACA’s strategy to transform Saudi Arabia into a global aviation hub and drive growth of the private aviation and business jet sector.  

Imtiyaz Manzary, General Manager for General Aviation at GACA, said: “GACA is excited to welcome international operators to fly within Saudi Arabia. This policy change will build real opportunities for growth, create jobs, and make the Kingdom a more connected, accessible place for business and private travel. We believe this step will unlock huge potential for operators and passengers alike.” 

This policy change is a key pillar of the General Aviation Roadmap, first announced in May 2024, which outlines a comprehensive plan to develop the private aviation sector into a $2 billion industry by 2030. In addition to regulatory reforms like lifting cabotage and removing empty-leg restrictions, the roadmap includes major infrastructure investments across the Kingdom.  

Since the initial announcement of the cabotage removal in February, GACA has received several applications from international and regional operators expressing interest in entering the Saudi market. This early momentum reflects growing investor confidence in the Kingdom’s aviation vision and the attractiveness of its evolving general aviation landscape. 

The opening of the domestic charter market supports Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 and Saudi Aviation Strategy objectives, positioning the Kingdom as a more open, competitive, and investor-friendly destination for aviation.  

About the Saudi Aviation Strategy and General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA):  

The Saudi Aviation Strategy is transforming the entire Saudi aviation ecosystem to become the number one aviation sector in the Middle East by 2030, enabled by Vision 2030 and in line with the Kingdom’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy. The Strategy is unlocking US$100 billion in private and government investment across the Kingdom’s airports, airlines, and aviation support services. The Strategy will extend Saudi Arabia’s connectivity across 29 airports, triple annual passenger traffic, establish two global long-haul connecting hubs, and increase air cargo capacity. 

The Saudi Aviation Strategy is led by the Kingdom’s aviation regulator, the General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA). GACA’s regulatory mission is to develop the air transport industry in accordance with the latest international standards, strengthen the position of the Kingdom as a globally influential player in civil aviation, and enforce the relevant rules, regulations, and procedures to ensure air transport safety and security, and sustainability. Source: GACA