Saudi Arabia lifts cabotage restrictions as it opens skies for foreign private jets
May 1, 2025
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in Saudi Arabia has removed cabotage restrictions, opening its domestic aviation market to international charter flight operators.
The cabotage removal, which was initially announced in February, officially came into force on 1 May has already seen several international business and private jet operators applying for permits to operate flights within the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia’s cabotage restrictions prohibited foreign aviation companies operating domestic charter flights within the Kingdom. The policy aimed to protect the local aviation industry, enabling only Saudi-registered operators to conduct non-scheduled, point-to-point flights between domestic airports. The lifting of the restrictions will enable foreign charter operators to operate domestic flights subject to specific requirements, with the move expected to drive growth in the private aviation and business jet sector by enhancing competition, attracting foreign investment and providing greater flexibility for operators in the general aviation industry.
“This policy change will build real opportunities for growth, create jobs, and make the Kingdom a more connected, accessible place for business and private travel,” said Imtiyaz Manzary, general manager for general aviation at GACA.
Underlining that the move will also unlock huge potential for operators and passengers alike, he also noted that it is aligned with GACA’s strategy to transform Saudi Arabia into a global aviation hub and is a key pillar of the general aviation roadmap to develop the private aviation sector into a $2 billion industry by 2030.
