Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector has entered a new phase in 2025, combining record passenger traffic, sweeping regulatory change, and a fresh national carrier in the final stretch before launch. After resolving aircraft delivery delays, Riyadh Air is preparing to begin commercial service before the end of 2025, backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the government’s Vision 2030 plan to diversify the economy.
On the regulatory side, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) removed cabotage restrictions on May 1, 2025, letting foreign charter operators fly domestic routes for the first time. The infrastructure pipeline is just as bold: King Salman International Airport is under construction to become one of the world’s largest hubs.
This momentum builds on a record 128 million passengers in 2024—split between 59 million domestic and 69 million international travelers—plus a dramatic 52% jump in air cargo to nearly 1 million tonnes.
Riyadh Air and network expansion
Riyadh Air, the Kingdom’s new full‑service carrier and second flag airline, sits at the heart of this shift. The airline aims to connect Saudi Arabia to 100 international destinations by 2030 and has already formed partnerships with Delta Air Lines, Singapore Airlines, and Air China.
- Backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the carrier’s timing aligns with Vision 2030 tourism and business goals.
- Executives frame the airline as an opportunity to build modern systems from scratch, free from legacy constraints that affect older fleets and IT platforms.
- With aircraft deliveries back on track, the launch before the end of 2025 is described as imminent.
For travelers and employers, a new network out of Riyadh promises:
– More direct long‑haul choices
– Better schedules
– Stronger transit options through the capital as King Salman International Airport comes online
Airport capacity and routing implications
Airport expansion is being scaled significantly to match demand.
Key capacity targets and developments:
– King Salman International Airport: being built to handle 120 million passengers by 2030 and 185 million by 2050.
– King Khalid International Airport: expanding terminals to accommodate 14 million passengers each year.
– Jeddah: overtook Doha as the region’s second‑largest airport by seat capacity in February 2025.
The Jeddah‑Riyadh corridor became the world’s fastest‑growing domestic route in 2024, reflecting a rise in business travel, family visits, and internal tourism. As Riyadh and Jeddah scale up, more travelers may choose Saudi hubs for connections between Asia, Africa, and Europe, reducing travel time and offering companies additional options for crew basing and cargo flows.
Regulatory opening: cabotage removal and implications
By scrapping cabotage limitations on May 1, 2025, GACA allowed foreign charter operators to run domestic flights within the Kingdom. This move is a core element of the General Aviation Roadmap, which targets a $2 billion private aviation sector by 2030.
Policy changes and effects:
– Streamlined licensing and removal of empty‑leg restrictions.
– Increased transparency in pricing and access for operators and customers.
– Rapid response from overseas companies, with applications arriving soon after the change.
Practical benefits:
– Global businesses with teams in Riyadh, Jeddah, and the Eastern Province can schedule point‑to‑point domestic charters for executives and technical crews.
– Reduces repositioning time, easing planning for visiting engineers and project managers.
– Opens work opportunities for local pilots, cabin crew, and maintenance staff.
– Increases competition, which typically improves service and availability.
Travel planning and entry requirements
The aviation surge intersects tightly with visa and entry rules. Saudi tourism and business links expand under Vision 2030, but travelers should confirm current requirements before booking.
- Safest starting point for visas: Ministry of Foreign Affairs eVisa portal
- Routes and schedules will grow quickly as Riyadh Air launches and carriers add capacity, but visa rules still determine who can enter and for what purposes.
Tips for companies and families:
– Brief staff on documentation needs and lead times, especially for short‑notice trips.
– Families visiting relatives benefit from more flight choices and lower connection times when documents are in order.
– Domestic charters make multi‑city itineraries easier once in‑country with the right status.
Aviation surge reshapes labor and skills needs
Behind the headlines is a tight labor market. Airlines, airports, and maintenance providers need trained personnel to deliver growth.
Recent initiatives and capacity building:
– In May 2025, IATA signed training agreements with Saudi airlines, airports, and academic institutions to address skills shortages.
– More than 1,000 aviation professionals are set to receive advanced training.
Opportunities and expectations:
– Roles available for foreign professionals: flight operations, engineering, safety, ground handling, digital systems, and customer service.
– Employers will expect current licenses, proof of type ratings where relevant, and strong safety records.
– Families considering relocation should evaluate schooling and community networks in major cities like Riyadh and Jeddah.
– For Saudi graduates, clearer pathways from classroom to cockpit or control room exist via internships and apprenticeships linking study to real operations.
Fleet moves, cargo growth, and technology
Fleet decisions and cargo demand are advancing rapidly.
Notable fleet and technology developments:
– Flynas: secured a 280‑aircraft deal (A320neo and A330neo) and later ordered an additional 160 Airbus aircraft (July 2024).
– Saudia: adding 11 new destinations in 2025 and signed a deal to introduce 50 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) jets—the region’s first such investment.
– Flight activity in 2024: 905,000 flight movements, up 11% year on year.
– Air cargo: nearly 1 million tonnes after a 52% surge.
Technology and connectivity:
– Neo Space Group (a PIF company) is pushing improved inflight connectivity and satellite communications.
– These advances matter for safety, crew workload, and passengers who expect robust connectivity.
Strategy, targets, and economic impact
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) is central to the aviation strategy—funding Riyadh Air, King Salman International Airport, and aviation technology ventures—while GACA sets the enabling regulatory environment.
Targets by 2030:
– 330 million passengers
– 250 destinations
– 4.5 million tonnes of cargo
Economic context:
– In 2023, the aviation sector contributed $90.6 billion (about 8.5% of GDP) and supported 1.4 million jobs.
– Expanding routes and services aims to attract tourists, equipment, and trade orders and place Saudi Arabia as a major transfer hub between continents.
“Digital tools, connectivity, and regulatory openness are aligning to lift the sector’s performance and reach,” say industry leaders. IATA’s Kamil Al‑Awadhi and GACA’s Imtiyaz Manzary have emphasized these themes in commentary on the transformation.
Analysis by VisaVerge.com highlights the scale and speed of Saudi plans, noting their regional distinctiveness for tourists, business travelers, and relocating professionals. The combination of market access, training, and fleet orders creates momentum visible at check‑in counters and cargo ramps alike.
Practical steps for foreign operators and travelers
The market opening has actionable steps companies can follow today—especially charter firms and corporate mobility teams.
Core steps released for operators in May 2025:
1. Apply to GACA for permits to operate domestic flights within Saudi Arabia.
2. Applications are reviewed under the new regulatory framework, which streamlines licensing and removes prior restrictions.
3. Approved operators may offer domestic charter services, subject to GACA safety, security, and operational standards.
Planning tips for travelers and mobility teams:
– Check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs eVisa portal for current visa options, fees, and stay limits before purchasing tickets.
– Build buffer time into trips while new routes and terminals phase in; reconfirm connections within Saudi Arabia one day before travel.
– If using domestic charters, ensure the operator’s GACA permit is current and that passenger lists match submitted manifests.
Competitive dynamics, sustainability, and workforce evolution
Regional competition and sustainability considerations are shaping the expansion.
Competitive effects:
– Jeddah’s growth past Doha in seat capacity signals rapid capacity placement into Saudi markets.
– Partnerships with Delta, Singapore Airlines, and Air China could integrate Riyadh Air into global networks, giving travelers and shippers more choice and potentially shorter duty days, quicker crew swaps, and more reliable freight options.
Sustainability and tech integration:
– The eVTOL orders point to future cleaner short‑hop operations.
– Neo Space Group’s satellite initiatives will improve aircraft health monitoring and passenger connectivity.
– These technologies indicate growing demand for roles in software, battery systems, and data security.
Domestic demand dynamics:
– The Jeddah‑Riyadh route’s status as the fastest‑growing domestic route in 2024 highlights expanding business links and family travel.
– As capacity grows, fares may become more competitive and schedules more flexible—benefiting small firms and students as well as large corporations.
– Removal of cabotage limits allows foreign charter operators to support time‑critical moves between industrial sites and government centers, provided operations meet permit and manifest requirements.
Looking ahead: 2025 milestones and dependencies
The next major marker is the full commercial launch of Riyadh Air in 2025, with plans to reach 100 destinations by 2030, anchoring Riyadh’s role as a long‑haul and regional hub.
Ongoing dependencies and coordination:
– Work on King Salman International Airport continues with the 2030 milestone in view.
– Officials anticipate more regulatory updates and new business aviation terminals as part of the roadmap.
– Each element reinforces the others: fleets need airports, airports need rules, and all three need trained people to keep passengers moving safely.
Overall, Saudi Arabia’s aviation push combines ambitious infrastructure, liberalized regulation, fleet modernization, and workforce development—creating tangible changes for travelers, multinational employers, and aviation professionals alike.
This Article in a Nutshell
In 2025 Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector entered a decisive growth phase marked by Riyadh Air’s imminent commercial launch, major infrastructure investments, and regulatory liberalization. Riyadh Air, backed by the Public Investment Fund, aims to serve 100 international destinations by 2030 and integrates partnerships with Delta, Singapore Airlines and Air China. On May 1, 2025, GACA removed cabotage restrictions, enabling foreign charter operators to run domestic services under a streamlined permit process. King Salman International Airport is being built to handle up to 120 million passengers by 2030 and 185 million by 2050, complementing expansions at King Khalid and Jeddah. Passenger traffic reached 128 million in 2024 and air cargo jumped 52% to nearly 1 million tonnes. Workforce training agreements with IATA will upskill over 1,000 professionals to meet demand. Through PIF funding, fleet orders, regulatory reforms and technology investments, Saudi Arabia targets 330 million passengers and 4.5 million tonnes of cargo by 2030, positioning itself as a major intercontinental hub while emphasizing safety, workforce development and competitive services.
