Latest news with #FutureAviationForum
Gulf Insider
30-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Set to Open Domestic Charter Market
Saudi Arabia is set to open its domestic private aviation market to foreign operators starting on May 1, 2025, according to the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). The Kingdom will remove cabotage restrictions on foreign on-demand charter flights within the country, the authority said in a statement published in February. The new policy will allow foreign charter operators to apply for permission to operate domestic flights, following specific requirements set by GACA. According to the release, the removal of cabotage restrictions marks an important step in GACA's strategy to enhance competition, attract foreign investment, and provide greater flexibility for operators in the general aviation industry. 'GACA is unlocking new opportunities for the global aviation industry, by removing restrictions on charter flight businesses to operate domestically in the Kingdom,' GACA General Manager for General Aviation Imtiyaz Manzary said. 'This regulatory decision supports GACA's roadmap to establish Saudi Arabia as a general aviation hub, alongside an unprecedented infrastructure program to establish new private airports and terminals across the Kingdom,' he added. GACA's General Aviation Roadmap was launched during the Future Aviation Forum in May 2024, and includes a comprehensive transformation program to develop the general aviation sector into a $2 billion industry by 2030, supporting 35,000 jobs. The roadmap aligns infrastructure planning and regulations across the sector, delivering six dedicated business aviation airports and a further nine dedicated business aviation terminals. It will also increase the number of business aviation fixed-base operators and maintenance, repair and overhaul capacity for business jets. Read more: Old Town in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah Regains Glory as Grand Prix Lures Tourists
Arab News
14-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia opens charter airline license bidding to expand aviation sector
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has launched a public tender for a national charter air carrier license, inviting private operators to offer non-scheduled services as part of its push to expand the aviation sector. The General Authority of Civil Aviation said interested investors must request the tender documents via email. The bidding window opened April 13 and runs through May 21, with offers to be submitted both physically in sealed envelopes and electronically in encrypted form. Bids will be opened on May 22 in Riyadh. The move supports the Kingdom's National Aviation Strategy, which targets facilitating 330 million passengers annually and connecting to over 250 international destinations by 2030. In an official release, GACA said that the initiative is designed 'to enhance the quality of services provided to travelers, raise the level of competitiveness.' The development follows a February policy shift that lifted cabotage restrictions, allowing foreign charter operators to apply for domestic routes under Saudi regulations beginning May 1. Cabotage restrictions are regulations that prohibit foreign-flagged ships or airlines from transporting goods or passengers within a country's borders, typically allowing only domestic carriers to operate such routes to protect national industries. The reform is expected to stimulate competition and attract foreign investment in general aviation. The development marks a key milestone in Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts to diversify its aviation sector and enhance private sector participation in the growing charter services market. According to official data, the Kingdom's business jet sector recorded a 24 percent increase in flight volumes in 2024, with domestic flights rising 26 percent to 9,206 and international flights up 15 percent to 14,406 — reflecting the sector's expanding contribution to the national economy. Announcing the policy changes in February, Imtiyaz Manzary, general manager for general aviation at GACA, highlighted the significance of the move, noting that the authority is opening new opportunities for the global aviation industry by lifting restrictions on domestic charter flight operations in the Kingdom. 'This regulatory decision supports GACA's roadmap to establish Saudi Arabia as a general aviation hub, alongside an unprecedented infrastructure program to develop new private airports and terminals across the Kingdom,' he said, as reported at the time by the Saudi Press Agency. The removal of these restrictions forms a key part of the authority's strategy to boost competition, attract foreign investment, and offer greater operational flexibility within the general aviation sector. As part of its broader General Aviation Roadmap — unveiled at the Future Aviation Forum in May — GACA aims to transform the sector into a $2 billion industry by 2030, generating 35,000 jobs. The plan includes the development of six dedicated business aviation airports, nine specialized terminals, and expanded maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities for business jets. GACA said inquiries on the license tender will be accepted via email until May 8. It also warned that discrepancies between hard and electronic copies will result in disqualification and that late submissions will not be accepted.
Leaders
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Leaders
VIA Riyadh: Modern Elegance Meets Luxury and Prestige
VIA Riyadh is solidifying its status as a premier entertainment hub for Riyadh Season 2024 with a series of enhancements designed to deliver a seamless blend of modernity, luxury, and meticulous attention to detail. These upgrades reflect a growing commitment to providing visitors with an exceptional entertainment experience year-round. As part of a broader strategy to redefine high-end entertainment, VIA Riyadh is undergoing significant transformations. Renovated venues will offer more immersive film screenings, while an expanded selection of international dining options will elevate the culinary scene. The goal is to establish VIA Riyadh as a dynamic tourist hotspot, offering unparalleled and unforgettable experiences. Aligned with the Kingdom's evolving entertainment vision, VIA Riyadh stands out as a global destination that goes beyond traditional attractions. By delivering world-class services and innovative experiences, it continues to set new standards for luxury and excellence in entertainment. Related Topics : Via Riyadh: Your Top Destination for Shopping Luxurious Items Sand & Fun 2024: Catch the Spectacular General Aviation Airshow in Riyadh GACA to Host Future Aviation Forum in Riyadh, Under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Patronage Saudi Minister of Transport Inaugurates Phased Operation of Terminal 1 at Riyadh Airport Short link : Post Views: 8 Related Stories
CairoScene
06-02-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Saudi Arabia to Allow Foreign Operators to Conduct Domestic Flights
The policy will also remove cabotage restrictions on foreign on-demand charter flights in the kingdom. Feb 06, 2025 The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has announced that from May 1st, 2025, foreign charter operators will be able to apply for permission to operate domestic flights. The policy will also remove cabotage restrictions on foreign on-demand charter flights in the kingdom. Previously, cabotage restrictions prevented foreign charter operators from conducting domestic flights within Saudi, and meant that international business jets could land in the country, but not travel between internal destinations. In addition to this new policy, GACA also announced the establishment of a General Aviation Sector Development Committee, which will engage in infrastructure planning and regulatory processes to enhance Saudi's general aviation sector value, in accordance with its vision of becoming a key aviation hub. This new decision also follows the launch of GACA's 'General Aviation Roadmap' during the Future Aviation Forum in May 2024, which focuses on developing the general aviation sector into a USD 2 billion industry by 2030. The roadmap envisions the creation of six specialised business aviation airports and a further nine specialised business aviation terminals, and will also raise the number of business aviation fixed-base operators and maintenance, repair and overhaul capacity for business jets.
Zawya
05-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
GACA opens Saudi Arabia's domestic aviation market to international charter flight operators
GACA has also announced a General Aviation Sector Development Committee to align infrastructure and regulation planning across the sector. The initiatives support GACA's General Aviation Roadmap, which is driving record growth in the business jet segment – up 24% in 2024 alone. Riyadh – The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of Saudi Arabia is opening the domestic private aviation market to international operators, by announcing the removal of cabotage restrictions for foreign on-demand charter flights within the Kingdom. The decision is part of GACA's broader strategy to boost the private jet market, supported by the establishment of a sector development committee to engage international and domestic business jet operators. The new policy, effective May 1, 2025, will allow foreign charter operators to apply for permission to operate domestic flights, following specific requirements set by GACA. 'GACA is unlocking new opportunities for the global aviation industry, by removing restrictions on charter flight businesses to operate domestically in the Kingdom,' said Imtiyaz Manzary, General Manager for General Aviation at GACA. 'This regulatory decision supports GACA's roadmap to establish Saudi Arabia as a general aviation hub, alongside an unprecedented infrastructure program to establish new private airports and terminals across the Kingdom.' The removal of cabotage restrictions marks an important step in GACA's strategy to enhance competition, attract foreign investment and provide greater flexibility for operators in the general aviation industry. Alongside this decision, GACA has announced a national General Aviation Sector Development committee to enhance Saudi Arabia's proposition as a general aviation hub, including international private aviation investors, operators, and service providers. The committee will engage on infrastructure planning and regulatory processes, to enhance the Kingdom's general aviation sector value proposition. GACA's General Aviation Roadmap was launched during the Future Aviation Forum in May 2024, including a comprehensive transformation program to develop the general aviation sector into a $2 billion industry by 2030, supporting 35,000 jobs. The roadmap aligns infrastructure planning and regulations across the sector, delivering six dedicated business aviation airports and a further nine dedicated business aviation terminals. The Roadmap will also increase the number of business aviation Fixed-Base Operators and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul capacity for business jets. Saudi Arabia's business jet sector achieved a record 24% jump in flight volumes in 2024 to 23,612 flights, with domestic jet flights rising 26% to 9,206 and international jet flights rising 15% to 14,406.
