Saudi Arabia opens skies to foreign charter jets in major aviation shake-up

Dubai: Saudi Arabia has officially opened its domestic airspace to international charter operators, ending long-standing cabotage restrictions and giving foreign private jet companies the green light to fly between cities inside the Kingdom.

The change—effective from May 1, 2025—means that non-Saudi business and private jet operators can now run intra-Kingdom charter flights without needing a local partner or special exemption. It’s a significant regulatory shift aimed at boosting private aviation and attracting more global investment into the sector.

“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,” said Imtiyaz Manzary, General Manager for General Aviation at GACA, the country’s aviation regulator.

The move is part of Saudi Arabia’s General Aviation Roadmap, launched in 2024, which targets building a $2 billion general aviation industry by 2030. It includes removing empty-leg restrictions, upgrading infrastructure, and attracting international operators.

Since GACA first signaled the rule change in February, several foreign operators have already submitted applications to enter the domestic market—an early sign of investor interest in the newly liberalised space.

The reform also supports the country’s Vision 2030 economic diversification agenda, which includes turning Saudi Arabia into a regional aviation and logistics hub. Opening up domestic airspace to non-Saudi players is seen as a bold, market-friendly step in that direction.

Why it matters:

Bottom line:
Saudi Arabia’s skies are opening up—literally. With a pro-market policy shift now in place, the Kingdom is positioning itself as a serious player in the global business aviation scene.