Flexjet Wins Approval To Start Operating in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has approved fractional ownership group Flexjet to operate flights in the country. With the certification confirmed on Tuesday, the U.S.-based company has become the second international operator—after its rival Vistajet—allowed to enter the Saudi domestic market since the government introduced new rules on May 1.

The authorization confirms that Flexjet meets the safety, regulatory, and operational requirements under Saudi Arabia’s Civil Aviation Law. During a ceremony in the capital Riyadh, GACA’s executive vice president for economic policies and logistics, Awad bin Attallah Al-Sulami, presented the certificate to Ben Watts, chief operating officer of Flexjet’s EMEA region.

According to GACA, the gradual lifting of restrictions on international business aviation operators is being conducted in accordance with the country’s Vision 2030 strategy for developing Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector. By that date, the country aspires to be the biggest aviation market in the Middle East.

Opening Access to a Closed Market

“Being granted the authorization to operate flights within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a positive step forward in Flexjet’s expansion in the GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council]—a region which is becoming increasingly important to our target audience of ultra-high-net-worth travelers,” commented Andrew Collins, Flexjet’s global CEO. “Our team worked successfully with GACA to receive this certification, and we look forward to continuing our global growth strategy with this operational advantage in place.”

Flexjet offers private flights under various programs, including fractional ownership, leases, and prepaid jet cards. Its fleet includes the Gulfstream G700, G650, and G450, as well as the Embraer Praetor 600, Praetor 500, and Phenom 300, plus the Bombardier Challenger 350/3500 and Sikorsky S-76 helicopters.

GACA is implementing a General Aviation Roadmap with a view to ensuring that infrastructure development is aligned with regulations and investment opportunities in what has been a highly restricted market. According to Flexjet, there is rising demand for private aviation services from business travelers and high-net-worth individuals in Saudi Arabia.

In August, GACA approved Vistajet to operate charter flights into and within Saudi Arabia. The company’s Dubai-based operation provides services with its Bombardier Global 7500 aircraft.