Premium airline Beond sets sights on...

Restrictions removed on private aviation in kingdom from 1 May 2025

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) is opening Saudi Arabia’s domestic private aviation market, clearing Beond and other foreign, on-demand charter operators for take off.

The change takes effect from 1 May 2025 and 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.

“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, GACA GM for General Aviation.

“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.”

Beond, the all-business-class boutique airline, made its debut in November 2023 with passenger services from Munich, Zurich and Riyadh to Malé, Maldives, launching its Dubai-Maldives route in April 2024, and adding direct flights between Zurich in Switzerland and Dubai in the UAE a month later.

Beond’s aircraft is an Airbus A321 with 68 lie-flat seats.

“This summer, whether exploring the beauty of Saudi Arabia or travelling abroad, Beond is here to make every journey seamless, personalised and exceptional,” said Tero Taskila, CEO of Beond.

GACA’s General Aviation Roadmap aims to develop the general aviation sector into a US$2 billion industry by 2030. This includes delivering six dedicated business aviation airports, and a further nine dedicated business aviation terminals.

GACA said Saudi’s business jet sector achieved a record 24% hike in flight volumes in 2024 to 23,612 flights.

GACA has unveiled a new corporate identity, a refreshed website and launched the Ajwaa integrated digital platform that provides access to all civil aviation services.

Ajwaa will enable customers to access regulatory and licensing services digitally, including applications for licenses and flight permits.

Part of GACA’s new identity includes the apt slogan ‘Together for New Horizons’ as aviation in the kingdom takes off.

In 2024, Saudi aviation passenger numbers increased by 15% to 128 million. There was also a 16% increase in connectivity with the kingdom now connected to more than 170 destinations around the world.

For more information, visit www.flybeond.com

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