As Saudi Arabia accelerates its transformation into a global aviation and investment hub under Vision 2030, private aviation is emerging as a critical enabler of trade, investment mobility and cross-border connectivity. VistaJet – the first and only global private aviation company and part of the Vista group, with a fully owned floating fleet, has emerged as a powerful force in this growth story – most recently becoming the first foreign operator approved to fly domestically within Saudi Arabia.
Speaking to ArabiaTravelNews.com, Mazen Obaid, President – Middle East at VistaJet, shares how this milestone strengthens the Kingdom’s aviation capacity, supports giga-projects and investor mobility and reinforces VistaJet’s long-term commitment to Saudi Arabia after more than 15 years in the market. He also explores how VistaJet’s global fleet, digital innovation and sustainability initiatives are helping shape the next phase of private aviation growth across Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC. Excerpts from the interview.
VistaJet has become the first foreign operator approved to fly within Saudi Arabia. What does this milestone mean for the company, and how does it align with Vision 2030?
Becoming the first foreign operator approved by GACA to fly domestically in Saudi Arabia is a landmark moment for us. It recognises the trust placed in VistaJet’s safety, service and operational standards, and it strengthens our 15-year commitment to the Kingdom. More importantly, it directly supports Vision 2030: expanding connectivity, facilitating economic mobility, and enabling investors, business leaders and visitors to move seamlessly between the Kingdom’s rapidly developing hubs. As Saudi Arabia accelerates its transformation, our role is to provide the reliable, high-quality aviation infrastructure that keeps people, ideas and investment moving.
What role did the collaboration with GACA play and how do you see this partnership evolving?
GACA’s leadership has been pivotal. Their reforms are reshaping aviation in Saudi Arabia, and their decision to certify VistaJet for domestic travel reflects a shared commitment to raising standards and unlocking greater connectivity. Our partnership is built on trust, transparency and long-term ambition. As the Kingdom develops new airports, economic zones and tourism destinations, we expect to work closely with GACA to support capacity building, local talent development and the ecosystem that will power Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a global aviation hub.
VistaJet has served Saudi Arabia for more than 15 years. How does this new domestic capability position you differently compared to other private aviation operators in the region?
No other international operator combines our longevity in Saudi Arabia with the ability to offer both domestic and international flights under one global standard of service. With a floating fleet and owned aircraft, we eliminate repositioning delays and deliver consistent availability across the Kingdom. This is a unique advantage for clients who need reliability, privacy and speed — whether flying between Riyadh, Jeddah and NEOM, or connecting directly to London, New York or Shanghai. It positions VistaJet as both a trusted local partner and a seamless global connector.
Flight activity in Jeddah grew 37% in Q3. What’s driving this surge on the western coast and how do you see volumes evolving into 2026?
The western coast is becoming one of the region’s most dynamic luxury and business corridors. Jeddah’s role as both a commercial gateway and a cultural destination is expanding rapidly, fueled by investment linked to the Red Sea, AlUla and major tourism projects. We expect demand to continue growing into 2026 as the region attracts more global visitors, and as domestic connectivity becomes essential for investors, government delegations and UHNW travellers moving between new hubs.
What opportunities and challenges do you foresee for VistaJet over the next five years?
The opportunities are significant: deepening our domestic presence, supporting giga-projects, expanding local employment and serving a rapidly diversifying economy. The Kingdom has made significant progress toward ensuring that supply keeps pace with rapidly growing demand. A major milestone was the approval and recognition from GACA to be the first foreign operator to run domestic flights within the Kingdom. This development alone expanded the country’s available supply by adding 90 aircraft from the Vista Members’ fleet of 270 aircraft. Initiatives like this are critical to accelerating fleet growth and ensuring that future demand can be met. With our global infrastructure and substantial presence in the region, we are well positioned to lead responsibly and proactively.
Vista delivered 48% y-o-y growth in Program hours sold in the Middle East, and 111% growth in add-on hours in H1 2025. What does this tell you about changing private aviation behaviour?
Clients are flying more frequently and with greater purpose. The VistaJet Program, which offers guaranteed availability and predictable pricing, is becoming the preferred alternative to ownership because it provides certainty without the operational burden. The surge in add-on hours shows that clients are also using private aviation more spontaneously: for short-notice business trips, regional tourism and multi-city itineraries. It reflects a more mobile, dynamic and time-sensitive lifestyle emerging across the region.
Are particular sectors leading the surge in Saudi Arabia — corporate, UHNW, government?
While demand is rising across the board, each sector is driving growth in a different way. Corporate and investor travel has accelerated sharply as new economic zones and giga-projects take shape, creating a need for fast, reliable movement between sites and major business hubs. At the same time, ultra-high-net-worth travelers are flying more frequently for lifestyle, tourism and cultural experiences as the Kingdom continues to open up and diversify. Government and institutional travel remain a steady pillar, with an ongoing need for secure, world-class aviation solutions.
Together, these segments reflect a Kingdom that is more connected, more global and moving at a greater pace, with private aviation becoming an essential enabler of this momentum.
How do you see domestic private aviation needs evolving as the Kingdom positions itself as a global aviation hub?
Domestic private aviation will become one of the Kingdom’s most important productivity tools. As new regions develop, private aviation will be the fastest and most efficient way to connect decision-makers, teams, investors and visitors. We’re already seeing a rise in demand for domestic point-to-point travel an expect this uplift to continue, with clients valuing reliability, time savings and high-service standards that match Saudi Arabia’s global ambitions.
VistaJet operates the world’s largest fleet of Global 7500s and will soon add Global 8000 jets. How do these aircraft enhance the travel experience for Saudi and regional clients?
The Global 7500 already sets the benchmark for ultra-long-range private aviation, offering exceptional range, cabin space and on board comfort. For our Saudi and regional clients, it means the ability to fly non-stop from Riyadh or Jeddah to almost any major global capital, with the privacy, productivity and seamless service they expect.
The Global 8000 builds on the same proven platform but enhances performance even further. With increased range and speed, it will offer even greater flexibility for long-haul travel, enabling our clients to reach more destinations non-stop and with enhanced efficiency. Together, these aircraft deliver the highest standards of luxury, comfort and global connectivity, all of which are essential to the lifestyle and business needs of travelers in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East.
How does VistaJet ensure operational efficiency across such a large global fleet while expanding domestically?
Our floating fleet model is designed for efficiency. We position aircraft dynamically based on real-time demand, eliminating unnecessary repositioning flights and ensuring consistent availability. Because VistaJet owns and operates its entire fleet, we maintain complete control over standards, service and scheduling. This global backbone supports our domestic expansion, enabling us to deploy aircraft quickly and reliably across Saudi Arabia as demand grows.
The UAE, Oman and Bahrain also saw strong growth in Q3. How would you describe the dynamic between GCC markets, and how does Vista support cross-border connectivity?
The GCC operates as an interconnected network of business, lifestyle and family travel. Clients often move between the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar within the same week. Our model is built for this reality: seamless cross-border operations, consistent service standards, guaranteed availability and rapid scheduling. As each market grows, the value of having one operator able to connect them efficiently becomes even more important.
Sustainability is becoming a key part of aviation globally. How is VistaJet working to bring more sustainable solutions to private aviation in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East?
Sustainability is a core focus for VistaJet, embedded across every aspect of our operations. VistaJet has been on a mission to advance its environmental strategy, guided by a dedicated in-house Sustainability team that drives measurable action rather than symbolic commitments. This team works across all business units — from fleet operations and fuel sourcing to partnerships and reporting — ensuring that sustainability is built into VistaJet’s long-term growth and client experience.
VistaJet Members across the globe, particularly corporate clients, are increasingly seeking to travel responsibly without sacrificing efficiency or comfort, and Vista is proud in delivering meaningful progress through several key initiatives:
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): To date, VistaJet has contracted over 43 Million litres of SAF — equivalent to 25 Olympic-sized swimming pools or 23.5 flights to the moon (based on a 25% blend).
Carbon Offsetting: On behalf of clients, VistaJet has offset over 3.1 Million tons in emissions to date.
Transparent Reporting: Each year, VistaJet publishes detailed data on its carbon footprint in the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Accounting Report, along with climate-related financial disclosures aligned with the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework.
VistaJet’s commitment to sustainability is a strategic imperative. With a global team of aviation, operations, and environmental experts, VistaJet continues to invest in innovation and partnerships that will help reduce emissions, expand SAF adoption and set new standards for responsible private aviation worldwide.
Beyond sustainability, what role does innovation, digital platforms, customer experience, AI play in your Middle East strategy?
Innovation is central to how we operate. AI and digital tools help us forecast demand, optimize fleet utilization and enhance punctuality. They also allow us to tailor the experience to each client with greater precision. For travellers in Saudi Arabia — where expectations around efficiency, privacy and personalization are very high — this combination of technology and human service is essential.
How is the XO Marketplace transforming accessibility and pricing transparency in Saudi Arabia and the GCC?
XO Marketplace is a digital marketplace giving clients the ability to search, compare and book private flights instantly at dynamic, transparent rates. It appeals to those who fly less frequently or value the flexibility and control of booking as needed, anywhere in the world on an Alliance fleet of safety-vetted aircraft. XO also offer fully-refundable deposit memberships offering preferred access to the Vista Members’ fleet. The advanced XO platform, already trusted by a sizeable base of Middle Eastern clients and Members, represents the next phase in Vista’s ongoing investment in digital innovation and regional client experience. Building on the Group’s strong local presence through VistaJet, this milestone reinforces Vista’s leadership in redefining private flight access through intelligent, transparent and instantly bookable solutions.
For some, flying privately 20–40 hours a year, XO provides the ideal solution. As travel needs expand, many transition to VistaJet’s Program membership for the reliability, service and guaranteed global reach of a dedicated fleet. This “commitment-light” approach reflects a wider shift in modern luxury — valuing access over ownership and experience over exclusivity — making private aviation more relevant and attainable than ever before.
What excites you about VistaJet’s journey in Saudi Arabia and what message would you like to send to clients?
Saudi Arabia is undergoing one of the most ambitious transformations in the world, and we are proud to support it. With our new domestic approval, we can help connect the Kingdom’s people, projects and opportunities faster and more effectively than ever before. Our message is simple: VistaJet is here for the long-term, committed to serving Saudi clients with the highest levels of reliability, service and global reach.
