Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) has announced a new directive approving annual permits for private aircraft owners. The permits apply to domestic or international aircraft used for personal, non-commercial purposes, provided they meet the approved requirements. They are expected to reduce bureaucracy.

Before the measure was introduced, private operators were obliged to obtain individual permits for each flight. GACA said the initiative would complement existing individual flight permits, allowing private aircraft owners to travel to, from, and within the country more easily without needing a separate permit for each flight.

One industry executive speaking with AIN on condition of anonymity said he understood that the authority was trying to promote aviation in Saudi Arabia but argued the approach was not the way to go about it. “This will simply promote the gray [charter] market in the Kingdom,” he said.

Although an operator certificate (GACA Part 125) for private operations—similar to FAA Part 91—prohibits revenue-earning flights on private aircraft, the reality is that GACA often has a difficult job policing passengers. According to the industry source, Part 125 operators illegally carrying passengers for hire often simply say the equivalent of “this is my friend” in cases where investigations are conducted.

Meanwhile, several operators are calling for smaller aircraft to cater to the charter market, especially in the domestic setting. The General Aviation Roadmap, launched earlier this year, aims to prioritize the growth of private operations based in the Saudi Arabia and streamline procedural requirements.