RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has granted SaudiGulf Airlines a license to operate domestic flights within the kingdom, the first such award in a long-planned liberalization of the aviation market, the company said in a statement.
SaudiGulf, based in Dammam, received regulatory approval from Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) on June 9 and was granted its air operator certificate in a formal ceremony in Riyadh on Wednesday night.
Previously, only national carrier Saudi Arabian Airlines and budget operator National Air Services were allowed to serve a domestic market of about 27 million people.
Foreign carriers could fly in and out of Saudi Arabia, but not within the country.
The Saudi authorities began accepting applications to allow other airlines to operate internal flights in 2012. SaudiGulf, owned by the Abdel Hadi Al-Qahtani & Sons group, had initially planned to start operating internal flights in 2014.
The new airline will begin domestic flights on September 1 using four Airbus A320 aircraft and expects to start international flights to Dubai from Dammam by the end of the year, according to the statement.
It plans to add six new aircraft to the fleet in the first quarter of 2017 and more the following year, reaching a fleet size of 26 planes within the next three years.
Qatar Airways, through its subsidiary for the Saudi market, Al-Maha Airways, also received an initial carrier license in 2012 but has yet to be given final approval to operate flights in the Kingdom.
SaudiGulf Airlines granted license for domestic flights
SaudiGulf Airlines granted license for domestic flights
Rotortrade, SILZ partner to launch first fully integrated HeliPark in Riyadh
RIYADH: Global helicopter distributor Rotortrade has partnered with the Special Integrated Logistics Zone Co. to launch a new maintenance, sales and services hub in Riyadh, marking the Singapore-headquartered company’s first entry into the Saudi market.
The Rotortrade HeliPark will span about 6,000 sq. meters across three floors and offer aircraft sales, maintenance, repair, completions and customer services, the companies said in a statement.
The facility will serve as a regional operating base as Saudi Arabia seeks to attract foreign investment in advanced aviation services, with design work due to be completed by February 2026 and construction to begin immediately afterward, targeting completion within the same year.
The project follows the acquisition of Rotortrade by the Public Investment Fund-owned The Helicopter Co. and forms part of a broader push to expand the company’s global footprint.
The development aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which aim to position the Kingdom as a global aviation and logistics hub.
Philippe Lubrano, founder and CEO of Rotortrade, said: “The Rotortrade Helipark represents our long-term commitment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC region.”
He added: “It is more than just a facility — it is a destination. Clients will be able to explore our aircraft, enjoy premium hospitality, and access comprehensive end-to-end services under one roof.”
Lubrano said the project reflects the company’s ambition to establish Rotortrade as the world’s leading global helicopter dealership and offers a unique value proposition not seen elsewhere in the rotorcraft industry.
Fadi Al-Buhairan, CEO of SILZ, said the agreement marks a diversification of services at Riyadh Integrated, and the facility will provide “critical infrastructure that accelerates our transformation into a multimodal logistics powerhouse.”
Al-Buhairan added that attracting aviation service providers such as Rotortrade strengthens global trade links, supports the localization of advanced technical skills, creates jobs and reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a regional aviation hub.
He said the investment reflects SILZ’s commitment to Vision 2030 by building local helicopter maintenance and technical capabilities, boosting exports and creating specialized career opportunities in the Kingdom.
According to the statement, the facility will include multiple helipads, dedicated helicopter display areas and a comprehensive service center providing maintenance, repairs and operational support.
A high-end hospitality area will also offer dedicated spaces for hosting clients, VIPs, government officials and partners, blending business engagement with industry innovation.
