Citadel Completions, based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, has achieved General Authority of Civil Aviation Regulations (GACAR) Part 145 repair station certification, opening up opportunities for the company to serve clients in Saudi Arabia with narrow and wide-body aircraft service offerings. Citadel is the third US-based company to achieve the certification.

GACAR certification embodies the highest standards of compliance and quality in aviation, affirming Citadel’s adherence to the stringent safety, operational and maintenance requirements set forth by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia General Authority of Civil Aviation.

“This certification is more than just a milestone; it reflects years of strategic planning, strong partnerships and an unwavering dedication to surpassing regulatory standards,” says VP of operations Noel Christen. “Our ability to now deliver comprehensive nose-to-tail V/VVIP aircraft services to Saudi Arabia’s elite aviation clientele underscores our commitment to quality and exceptional customer service.”

The achievement was the culmination of a three-year effort, during which Citadel enhanced its systems and developed robust quality and safety frameworks. The company updated its repair station and quality manual (RSQM), introduced a comprehensive training programme, and developed critical processes within its safety management system, including the adoption of the web-based analysis tool (WBAT) for accurate tracking and management of safety protocols.

“This was not a supplement to existing certifications but a complete and thorough approval process from the ground up,” adds Spencer Thorn, quality assurance manager. "The effort united our entire team and reinforced our culture of precision, quality, collaboration and safety."

This latest certification joins an extensive regulatory portfolio already held by Citadel, which includes FAA, EASA, BCAA, CAA, DCAA, CAAT, GCAA, DCA and QCAA approvals. The company also maintains ISO 9001:2015/AS9110C and ISO 14001:2015 certifications and is an active member of ARSA, NBAA and MEBAA.

Citadel is also an authorised dealer for Starlink business aviation products and support, a service centre network provider for Airbus Corporate Jets, a licensed MRO centre for Boeing Business Jets and a BBJ 777-200/300 completion centre.