AirX To Expand Middle Eastern Ops after GACA Approval

AirX Charter has received approval from Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), enabling the private jet charter operator to expand operations within the country. 

Although AirX is already actively serving the Saudi market through international charter activity, the provider hopes its Part 129 GACA permissions will “enhance its private jet charter operations and aircraft presence” domestically there. These include AirX’s fleet of 21 aircraft, which it hopes will help “meet increasing demand for long-range corporate, governmental, and high-end private travel to and from Saudi Arabia.”

Believing that Saudi Arabia “represents one of the most strategic and dynamic aviation markets globally,” AirX group CEO Houssam Hazzoury views the GACA approval as a “clear opportunity to support the kingdom’s private aviation sector” in alignment with its Vision 2030 plans.

This international expansion follows a €115 million (about $136 million) bond raised by AirX in September, which will be used to add around 20 to 50 aircraft to its fleet. At the time, AirX stated that these would focus on heavy jets and VIP-configured airliners.