Universal Aviation has been selected to manage and operate the newly inaugurated general aviation terminal at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, under appointments by Dammam Airports Company, the General Authority of Civil Aviation and Matarat Holding. The facility is expected to begin welcoming operators in the coming months.

The appointment was formalised during an inauguration ceremony held under the patronage of Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Eastern Province, and attended by senior government and aviation officials. Universal Aviation received its economic licence to provide general aviation ground handling services at the private aviation terminal during the event.

The terminal includes two VIP lounges and a 28,000 sq ft purpose-built private aviation hangar described as the first state-sponsored dedicated general aviation hangar in the Kingdom.

“This is a defining moment for private aviation in the Kingdom,” says Greg Evans, managing principal at Evans Aviation. “Saudi Arabia is investing in world-class aviation infrastructure, and we are honoured to be entrusted with delivering the operating discipline, safety culture and hospitality standards that international operators expect. Our vision is to position Saudi Arabia at the forefront of private aviation globally, combining world-class infrastructure with disciplined operations and a distinctly Saudi standard of service.”

The Dammam operation forms part of the company’s wider Kingdom strategy spanning Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, with modern VIP lounges, expedited CIQ facilitation and comprehensive concierge and ground services planned across all three locations.