Flexjet (LXJ, Cleveland Cuyahoga Country) has received authorisation from Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) to conduct domestic on-demand operations. Andrew Collins, Flexjet global chief executive, confirmed to ch-aviation that approval has been granted to Flexjet Operations (Malta).

“The authorisation marks a positive step forward in Flexjet's expansion in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a region that is becoming increasingly important to our target audience of ultra-high-net-worth travellers.” Collins said.

Approval was granted to the Maltese unit of Flexjet, whose air operator's certificate (AOC) currently comprises three Global Express XRS jets, four Legacy 500s (one parked since September 2024 at Milan Linate), seven Praetor 600s, a G650, and two G650(ER)s. “Maltese-registered aircraft account for the majority of our current Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) fleet,” he added.

Flexjet anticipates strong potential for both the G650 and Praetor 600 aircraft. “We are already seeing demand for domestic flights within the Kingdom and expect this to grow, with connections between Riyadh and Jeddah International the most requested,” Collins revealed.

The company becomes the second executive jet operator authorised for domestic flights in Saudi Arabia, following VistaJet (Malta) in August. Speaking to Saudi newspaper Al-Eqtisadiah in late November, Vista group's Middle East president, Mazen Obaid, stated that the carrier had conducted 37 domestic flights within the Kingdom to date, primarily between Riyadh and Jeddah International.

Approval for both companies follows GACA's removal of cabotage restrictions for foreign-operated on-demand charter flights on May 1, a move aimed at expanding Saudi Arabia's private jet market.