The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has officially authorized Flexjet to operate on-demand private jet services within Saudi Arabia, following comprehensive safety and regulatory compliance. This certification positions Flexjet as the second international operator granted such authorization under recent regulatory changes effective from May 1, 2025.
The authorization symbolizes Saudi Arabia's ongoing effort to diversify and modernize its private aviation sector, aligning with the country’s Vision 2030 economic transformation strategy. During a formal ceremony in Riyadh, GACA’s representatives presented the certification to Flexjet’s COO, Mr. Ben Watts. Al-Sulami, GACA’s Executive Vice President, emphasized that this milestone enhances competition and customer experience and supports the broader development of Saudi Arabia’s aviation ecosystem.
This development is part of GACA’s General Aviation Roadmap, which aims to upgrade infrastructure, regulations, and investments needed to meet the increasing demand for high-end private aviation services among business travelers and ultra-high-net-worth individuals within the kingdom. The initiative also consolidates Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading aviation hub in the Middle East by 2030, complementing ongoing strategies under the National Transport and Logistics Strategy.
Industry stakeholders see this move as a positive step toward a more competitive and diversified aviation market, fostering high safety standards and advanced service offerings. Flexjet’s certification is expected to stimulate further growth and investment in Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning private aviation sector.
