Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has granted VistaJet permission to become the first international private jet operator authorised to conduct domestic flights within the Kingdom.
The decision comes in the wake of the lifting of cabotage restrictions for on-demand charter flights, effective 1 May 2025. Until now, foreign operators could fly passengers into or out of the Kingdom, but not between its cities. This restriction had long limited the flexibility of international high-net-worth travellers accustomed to seamless global mobility.
With VistaJet’s authorisation, clients can now fly directly from Riyadh to Jeddah, AlUla, NEOM or the Red Sea — without switching aircraft or operators. For travel advisors serving ultra-high-net-worth individuals, this marks a significant improvement in convenience, efficiency and exclusivity.
VistaJet brings global fleet strength to Saudi skies
VistaJet, part of the Vista group, operates the world’s only fully-owned floating fleet, with more than 270 aircraft ranging from Challenger 350s to the flagship Global 7500s — and soon, Global 8000s. This structure allows the company to reposition aircraft across the globe according to demand, a model now extended into Saudi domestic operations.
Nick van der Meer, Chief Operating Officer at Vista, said: “The approval and recognition from GACA marks a significant milestone for Vista’s operations in the Kingdom. By expanding our domestic capabilities, we are not only strengthening our regional presence, but also amplifying the efficiency of our global fleet. We are proud to support Vision 2030 and grateful to the leadership and the GACA team for making this possible. This enables us to serve our clients with seamless access across the Kingdom and beyond, ensuring that every journey reflects Vista’s commitment to reliability, consistency and world-class service.”
The company highlights Saudi Arabia’s central geographical position as a strategic advantage. From Riyadh or Jeddah, VistaJet’s Global 7500s already offer non-stop connections to nearly any point in the world, making the Kingdom a natural hub for elite international travellers.
Supporting Vision 2030 and luxury tourism
The development is part of GACA’s General Aviation Roadmap and the broader National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which aim to transform Saudi Arabia into the Middle East’s leading aviation hub by 2030. For the luxury segment, this liberalisation of private aviation is particularly significant: high-end travellers can now combine multi-destination itineraries — from business meetings in Riyadh to cultural explorations in AlUla and private yacht escapes in the Red Sea — without logistical barriers.
Awad Alsulami, Executive Vice President for Economic Policies & Logistics Services at GACA, said: “Authorising VistaJet as the first international private jet operator for domestic operations in the Kingdom is a milestone in enhancing the general aviation market in Saudi Arabia. This step will foster greater competition, stimulate sector growth, and raise the quality of services for private aviation customers in the Kingdom and across the region.”
Rapidly growing demand
VistaJet has been active in the Saudi market for more than 15 years, longer than any other international operator. Demand has surged: the company reported a 32% increase in Program Members in the Kingdom year-on-year during the first half of 2025. This reflects a strong appetite among both local and international clients for flexible, reliable and premium flying solutions.
Mazen Obaid, President — Middle East at Vista, underlined the significance of this step: “We are delighted to be working with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and GACA, reinforcing our commitment to offering clients reliable, flexible and trusted flying solutions through our global and regional infrastructure. As a Saudi myself, I am extremely proud and excited for this new venture, and of all the opportunities that I know we can achieve together. We thank the Kingdom and its leadership for its dynamic Vision 2030, and we very much look forward to hiring many local experts and investing locally.”
A benchmark moment for luxury aviation
Globally, many regions — including the EU and parts of the Gulf — already allow foreign operators to conduct domestic flights. By aligning with these standards, Saudi Arabia is sending a clear message: it intends to compete at the very highest level for premium travellers and investment.
For high-end travel advisors, the implications are clear. Saudi Arabia is not only emerging as a destination with world-class tourism offerings, but it is also ensuring that the infrastructure supporting luxury travel — from aviation to hospitality — meets the expectations of the world’s wealthiest clients.
VistaJet’s authorisation is both symbolic and practical: symbolic of the Kingdom’s new openness, and practical in enabling seamless, ultra-luxury connectivity across one of the world’s most ambitious tourism landscapes.
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