Overview

• Saudi regulator GACA granted VistaJet permission on August 20 to operate charter flights within the Kingdom, naming it the first international operator allowed to fly domestic routes.
• GACA says the move is intended to spur competition, grow the general aviation sector, and improve service quality, with other applicants also seeking domestic approvals.
• The authorization stems from a rule change that took effect on May 1 removing cabotage restrictions that had confined foreign operators to international legs only.
• VistaJet reports a 32% year-on-year increase in Saudi Program Members in the first half of 2025 and says it has served the market for more than 15 years.
• The company operates an approximately 270-aircraft Bombardier fleet under a Maltese AOC, maintains a regional office in Dubai, and signals plans for local hiring and investment.