RIYADH: VistaJet, the first foreign airline authorized to offer private domestic flights in Saudi Arabia, has operated 37 flights to date — mostly between Riyadh and Jeddah — since receiving approval in August 2025, according to the company’s Middle East President, Mazen Obaid, who spoke to Al-Eqtisadiah.
Obaid told the newspaper on the sidelines of a company event in Riyadh that “the company is operating approximately one flight every two days,” a figure he described as remarkable for a start, with prices beginning at $15,000 per hour.
He added that “demand for private aviation in Saudi Arabia grew by 32 percent during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, while flight hours sold in the Middle East increased by 48 percent during the same period.”
Vista’s fleet currently comprises more than 270 aircraft, including the world’s largest fleet of Global 7500s, with future plans to add next-generation Global 8000s to the Kingdom to enhance its operational capacity for direct flights to Europe, Asia, and the US.
Obaid noted that domestic demand is projected to grow by 25 percent annually by 2025, driven by the Kingdom’s economic transformation and the increasing number of tourism projects such as Qiddiya, the Red Sea Project, and NEOM, along with growing economic activity between major Saudi cities. He anticipates this annual growth rate will continue until 2030.
The company has received operating approval for 90 aircraft out of its global fleet of 270, representing approximately one-third of the fleet, according to Vista’s Middle East president.
He explained that the company is committed to providing aircraft to contracted customers within 24 hours of ordering, operating on a business model that allows for aircraft use without ownership, focusing on operational flexibility and increased aircraft utilization efficiency compared to traditional ownership models.
The average hourly rate for domestic flights is approximately $15,000 for an eight-passenger Challenger 350 aircraft. This rate covers only the actual flight time, excluding ground handling and waiting times.
He noted that the most popular domestic routes are Riyadh-Jeddah and vice versa, while international flights within the Kingdom are concentrated between Riyadh and Dubai, with a significant increase in demand for new tourist destinations such as NEOM, Al-Ula, and the Red Sea.
He explained that tourist travel is showing rapid growth, with more than four flights operating on the opening day of Sindalah in NEOM, including direct flights from the US, Europe, Egypt, and other Middle Eastern countries.
The company is working to enhance the capabilities of Saudi talent and support local partnerships in the private aviation sector. This includes increasing Saudization, developing private aviation infrastructure, and boosting the sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product by stimulating tourism and business travel.
Obaid said: “The company aims to adapt its global operational expertise to the needs of the local market by providing customized services to Saudi customers, including guidance on Miqat locations for Umrah trips, which represents an economical and strategic adaptation to provide services that are consistent with the nature of local demand.”
