Gulf private jet operators add...

Market growth seen as Saudi opens skies to foreign players

According to WingX, the recognised leading authority on private and business jet data, year-to-date traffic is up 77% in the Middle East (as of February 2025) since 2019.

WingX also highlights that Saudi Arabia will see a business jet boost, as the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) opens up to foreign operators from 1 May 2025.

GACA will remove restrictions on charter flight businesses to operate domestically in Saudi, a move aimed at establishing the kingdom as a general aviation hub, with plans to open new private airports and terminals across the kingdom.

Last year, 47% of business jet departures flown from airports in Saudi were domestic flights, with Jeddah-to-Riyadh the busiest route.

Premium leisure airline Beond has been quick to announce that its aircraft will be available this summer for charter flights within Saudi and from the kingdom to the world.

Business jet flights within Saudi soared to a record 23,612 in 2024, up 26% on the previous year

Beond introduces summer charter flights in Saudi

With the local market taking off and new opportunities presenting themselves in Saudi, it’s no surprise to hear of jet operators looking to expand.

Abu Dhabi-based premium private aviation charter operator RoyalJet has placed an order for three ACJ320neo aircraft to enhance its portfolio. The agreement makes Royal Jet a new Airbus customer, as it currently owns or operates nine Boeing Business Jets and five Bombardier Global 5000, 6000 and 7500 aircraft. All of these aircraft offer long range and luxurious cabins, making them suited to intercontinental and VIP travel.

RoyalJet orders three ACJ320neo aircraft

The ACJ320neo delivers non-stop flights from Abu Dhabi to all European, African and Asian destinations.

Then there’s UAE-based Falcon Luxe, which says it will add an additional 40 aircraft to its fleet by the end of 2026 to meet demand.

Falcon Luxe currently has 12 aircraft, so this would be a 333% increase in fleet size in less than two years. The first of those aircraft are due to arrive in Q2 2025, including the ultra-long range Bombardier Global Express 6500 in an ultra-premium configuration, aimed at attracting high-net-worth individuals.

UAE-based private jet operator Falcon Luxe is set to receive as many as 40 aircraft by end of 2026

Falcon Luxe

Not every private jet flight needs to be a large-cabin luxury aircraft, with many smaller and midsize jets offering convenient and private travel for families and for executives, especially when it comes to reaching destinations not best served by commercial carriers, or customers preferring on-demand charters.

Flying a small group via private jet can also work out better value for money than commercial premium class.

Falcon Luxe is based in Dubai, and the city is seeing its highest ever volume of private jet activity.

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) at Dubai South recorded 17,891 movements (takeoffs and landings) in 2024, up 7% on 2023.

To cater to such demand, in December 2024, ExecuJet Middle East opened a new private jet terminal at the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub in Dubai South.

In Saudi, business jet flights rose from 19,000 in 2023 to a record 23,612 in 2024, with domestic jet flights rising 26% and international flights up 15%.

Tourism hotspots Sindalah, The Red Sea and AlUla were popular new destinations, while events such as the Future Investment Initiative and Formula One Grand Prix in Jeddah also boosted traffic.

Mohammed Alkhuraisi, GACA’s Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business said: “A thriving business jet sector is essential to support Saudi’s luxury tourism and business sectors. To build on the record business jet growth achieved in 2024, an unprecedented investment program is underway to ensure the kingdom offers unparalleled business jet aviation infrastructure and services.”

With more operators and increased competition, this can only be good news for potential passengers looking to elevate their travel experience by flying private.

For more information, visit www.falconluxe.com and www.royaljetgroup.com