The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of Saudi Arabia is opening its domestic private aviation to international operators by removing cabotage restrictions for foreign on-demand charter flights within the Kingdom. The move is part of GACA’s broader strategy to boost the private jet market.

Effective from 1 May 2025, the new policy will allow foreign charter operators to apply for permission to operate domestic flights, following specific requirements set by GACA.

“GACA is unlocking new opportunities for the global aviation industry by removing restrictions on charter flight businesses to operate domestically in the Kingdom,” says 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 programme to establish new private airports and terminals across the Kingdom.”

The removal of cabotage restrictions marks an important step in GACA’s strategy to boost competition, attract foreign investment and provide greater flexibility for operators in the general aviation industry. Alongside the decision, GACA has announced a national General Aviation Sector Development committee that will engage on infrastructure planning and regulatory processes to enhance the Kingdom’s general aviation sector value proposition.

GACA’s General Aviation Roadmap was launched during the Future Aviation Forum in May 2024 and includes a comprehensive transformation programme to develop the general aviation sector into a $2 billion industry by 2030, supporting 35,000 jobs. Saudi Arabia’s business jet sector achieved a record 24 per cent jump in flight volumes in 2024 to 23,612 flights, with domestic jet flights rising 26 per cent to 9,206 and international jet flights rising 15 per cent to 14,406.