GACA says 2 consortiums win national charter air carrier tender

 Logo of General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA)

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) announced awarding two National Charter Air Carrier tenders to alliances led by Jazeera Airways and BeOnd Aviation.

Both consortiums include foreign investment with Saudi majority ownership.

Charter flights are used to meet increased demand during peak seasons such as tourist seasons, the Hajj and Umrah seasons, public holidays, sporting events, and international conferences hosted by the Kingdom, as well as to increase travel options and cater to private group trips.

The authority's announcement follows a public tender in which it received bids from a number of different companies aiming to establish a national charter airline in the Kingdom. 

According to the authority, the best bids were awarded after passing all tendering criteria.

By 2030, the charter airline will serve 48 domestic and international destinations, with a seating capacity of up to 6 million seats, providing approximately 1,000 jobs, with a fleet of 21 aircraft.

Following the announcement of the tender award, the winning companies will complete the regulatory procedures to obtain the economic and technical licenses necessary to start the carriers' operations. The authority will continue its supervisory and regulatory role when operations begin to monitor the financial and operational performance and quality of services provided by the licensed carriers.