Saudi Arabia’s business aviation boom tempts Comlux as it relocates Airbus ACJ318 to Jeddah
December 12, 2025
Saudi Arabia is fast becoming the hottest destination in business aviation, and the latest operator to expand into the Kingdom is Comlux.
The Zurich-based company revealed in a LinkedIn post that it is relocating its Airbus Corporate Jet (ACJ) A318 Elite Plus from the Philippines to Jeddah, positioning the ‘baby bus’ directly in one of the world’s fastest-growing private aviation markets.
The move provides Comlux’s Saudi clients with immediate access to the aircraft, significantly reducing positioning time and increasing availability for both domestic and international charters. It also marks a strategic shift in the company’s Middle Eastern presence, following years of serving Saudi passengers from its bases in Dubai and Bahrain.
Andrea Zanetto, CEO of Comlux Aviation, told AeroTime the ACJ318’s generous cabin aligns strongly with Saudi client expectations.
“When you have a big space, you can bring a lot of luggage, entourage, etc. For them, this is absolutely important because they want to travel with their own staff and want to bring back what they buy abroad,” he explained.
Why Saudi Arabia is attracting global business jet operators
Comlux’s expansion comes during a period of rapid growth in Saudi private aviation.
According to the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), business jet movements in the Kingdom increased from approximately 19,000 in 2023 to 23,612 in 2024, representing a 24% rise. Domestic flights were up 26% and international movements climbed 15%, with Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam all reporting strong traffic growth.
A major catalyst has been regulatory reform. In May 2025, GACA opened Saudi Arabia’s domestic charter market to international operators for the first time, enabling foreign business jet companies to apply for intra-Kingdom charter rights. The shift has triggered a wave of new market entrants and intensified competition across the region.
New research from Airbus Corporate Jets highlights the scale of this demand. In the first ten months of 2025, business aircraft departures in Saudi Arabia rose 20.9% year-on-year.
Over the past two years, 80% of Saudi corporates, fund managers and family offices increased their business jet usage by 25–50%, with the remaining 20% reporting growth of 50–75%. Nearly two-thirds expect their flying to increase by at least 50% over the next two years.
Much of this travel is to destinations not served by commercial airlines, reinforcing the role of business aviation as an essential tool for Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification.
“It not only delivers time savings and productivity gains but also allows organisations to extend opportunities to more employees and to contribute meaningfully to philanthropic missions,” said Chadi Saade, president of Airbus Corporate Jets.
VistaJet and Flexjet approvals reshape the competitive landscape
Comlux’s arrival follows a series of high-profile approvals for international operators. VistaJet became the first foreign private jet company authorised to conduct domestic flights inside Saudi Arabia in August 2025.
Flexjet followed in December, securing approval from GACA after demonstrating full compliance with the Kingdom’s safety and operational requirements
Both companies have stated that demand in Saudi Arabia has exceeded expectations, particularly for larger-cabin aircraft used by family offices, corporates and high-net-worth individuals travelling with significant luggage and staff.
Comlux positions its ACJ318 for growth in a booming charter market
By relocating its ACJ318 Elite Plus to Jeddah, Comlux is positioning itself to capture this rising demand with a high-capacity VIP airliner tailored to Saudi travel patterns.
The aircraft offers long-range capability, wide-cabin comfort and the flexibility required by clients who often travel with entourages, household staff or substantial personal belongings.
The move strengthens Comlux’s regional footprint and places one of its flagship aircraft at the centre of the Middle East’s most dynamic private aviation market.
As Saudi Arabia continues investing heavily in airports, FBOs and general aviation infrastructure under Vision 2030, competition among international operators is expected to intensify — and Comlux is now firmly in the running.
Featured image: Airbus
