Saudi Arabia Opens Skies to Flexjet, Boosting Aviation Market Growth, All You Need to Know

Published on December 5, 2025

Saudi Arabia is making significant strides in its aviation sector and the recent approval of Flexjet to operate within the country is a clear reflection of this transformation. As part of the nation’s Vision 2030 plan, the approval aligns with efforts to diversify and modernize Saudi Arabia’s economy. Flexjet, a leading U.S.-based fractional ownership company, now joins an exclusive group of international operators in the Saudi market, making a bold move into one of the Middle East’s most rapidly growing aviation hubs. This decision marks a new chapter for the country’s private aviation industry, responding to the rising demand for luxury and business travel. With this development, Saudi Arabia continues to position itself as a key player in the global aviation market, attracting international operators like Flexjet, who are keen to expand their footprint in this high-potential region.

Flexjet’s Entry into Saudi Arabia: A New Chapter in Aviation

The approval, which was officially granted on Tuesday, makes Flexjet the second international operator, after Vistajet, to be granted access to Saudi Arabia’s domestic airspace. The move aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader goals of gradually lifting restrictions on international business aviation operators. The lifting of these restrictions comes as part of the country’s effort to develop its aviation market and support the growth of high-net-worth travel, a segment that has seen rising demand in recent years.

Flexjet, known for its premium private aviation services, will now be able to offer a range of flight options under various programs, including fractional ownership, leases and prepaid jet cards. The company’s fleet, which includes the Gulfstream G700, G650 and G450, along with the Embraer Praetor 600, Praetor 500 and Phenom 300, is poised to serve the high-end travel needs of Saudi Arabia’s ultra-high-net-worth individuals and business executives. Additionally, Flexjet’s range of helicopters, including the Sikorsky S-76, further expands its offerings in the private aviation sector.

Aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030

The certification ceremony took place in Riyadh, where GACA’s executive vice president for economic policies and logistics, Awad bin Attallah Al-Sulami, presented the approval certificate to Ben Watts, Flexjet’s chief operating officer for the EMEA region. This official recognition highlights the company’s adherence to Saudi Arabia’s rigorous safety, regulatory and operational standards, ensuring that its operations within the kingdom will meet the highest industry benchmarks.

According to Andrew Collins, Flexjet’s global CEO, the certification opens a new chapter in the company’s expansion strategy within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Collins emphasized that Saudi Arabia is becoming an increasingly important region for Flexjet, with a growing demand for private aviation services driven by the country’s expanding wealth and the needs of its business elite. The entry into the Saudi market represents an exciting opportunity to serve the needs of affluent travelers in a region that is becoming a focal point for international business and luxury travel.

A Growing Demand for Private Aviation Services

The partnership between Flexjet and GACA is also in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the country’s economy and reduce its dependence on oil revenues. As part of this ambitious initiative, Saudi Arabia is looking to transform its aviation sector into one of the largest and most advanced in the Middle East, capable of supporting a diverse range of air travel needs, from commercial airlines to private aviation. The government is investing heavily in the necessary infrastructure to support these ambitions, including upgrades to airports and the development of new aviation regulations designed to attract international operators.

Flexjet‘s approval also follows Vistajet’s earlier entry into the Saudi market in August 2025. Vistajet, which operates with its Bombardier Global 7500 aircraft, was the first international operator to be granted access to Saudi Arabia’s domestic airspace since the new regulations were introduced. With two major international aviation companies now authorized to operate in Saudi Arabia, the country is quickly becoming an important hub for private aviation, catering to the needs of business leaders and high-net-worth individuals from around the globe.

In conclusion, Saudi Arabia’s approval of Flexjet is a positive development for both the aviation sector and the country’s Vision 2030 goals. The entry of international operators like Flexjet and Vistajet into the Saudi market is a clear indication of the growing importance of the kingdom as a global aviation hub. With the infrastructure in place and demand on the rise, Saudi Arabia’s aviation market is set to experience significant growth in the coming years.