Saudi Arabia opens doors to foreign private aviation: GACA grants VistaJet domestic operating rights

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has granted VistaJet the Foreign Operator Certificate, making it the first international private aviation company authorized to operate on-demand domestic flights within Saudi Arabia. This milestone reflects the Kingdom’s strategy to expand its aviation ecosystem and unlock new opportunities in luxury tourism and high-end business travel. With VistaJet now cleared to operate locally, travellers—particularly affluent tourists, corporate leaders, and investors—will gain seamless access to Saudi Arabia’s diverse destinations, from Riyadh and Jeddah to emerging cultural and leisure hubs such as AlUla and the Red Sea.

GACA emphasized that the decision will boost competition, enhance service quality, and attract investment in private aviation. It also aligns with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which aims to transform the Kingdom into a leading aviation hub by 2030, connecting three continents. Awad bin Attallah Al Sulami, GACA’s EVP for Economic Policies and Logistics Services, highlighted that private aviation is a “vital enabler for both business and tourism,” playing a central role in the Kingdom’s wider Vision 2030 objectives. VistaJet’s entry into the domestic market reinforces Saudi Arabia’s positioning as a premium tourism and investment destination, ensuring global travelers can access world-class connectivity and bespoke travel experiences within the Kingdom.