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The General Authority of Civil Aviation announced the granting of an economic license to Universal Aviation to provide ground handling services at the private aviation terminal of King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. Under this license, the company will be able to provide ground handling services and operate and manage the private aviation terminal at King Fahd International Airport after meeting the economic requirements in accordance with the regulations and laws in force in the Kingdom.

This announcement came during an inauguration ceremony held today under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Eastern Province, marking the launch of the private aviation terminal project and the upgrade of the Category III instrument landing system on the western runway at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. The event was attended by Saleh bin Nasser Al Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Chairman of the Board of GACA, and Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Duailej, President of GACA and Chairman of Matarat Holding, along with several dignitaries and officials.

This strategic step aligns with the objectives of the Aviation Program, which aims to open new investment opportunities in the private aviation market and provide flexible operational options that meet the growing demand for private flights and business aviation services, thereby enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of the sector. Universal Aviation is considered one of the leading global companies in this field, providing services in more than 30 countries around the world. The company has also developed an investment plan to expand its services at airports across the Kingdom, including the operation and management of private aviation terminals at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

Under this license, Universal Aviation will be able to operate and manage the private aviation terminal at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, contributing to the growth of the private aviation market and meeting the accelerating needs of the tourism and commercial sectors, while fully complying with local and international environmental and technical regulations.

Awad bin Atallah Al Sulami, Executive Vice President for Economic Policies and Logistics Services at the General Authority of Civil Aviation, affirmed that granting this license reflects the Authority’s commitment to supporting and developing the civil aviation sector, particularly private aviation. He noted that attracting international operators to work in the Kingdom directly enhances the quality of services provided and supports the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to position the Kingdom as a global logistics hub and a central aviation gateway in the region.

He added that the Authority is working to advance transformation through the development of a new regulatory and economic framework designed to make the aviation environment in the Kingdom more attractive and competitive. This includes strengthening partnerships with the private sector in the private aviation category by expanding the issuance of operating licenses and developing private aviation terminals and services, thereby supporting the growth of high value services and reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a regional center for private and business aviation.

This license comes as part of the Authority’s ongoing efforts to develop general aviation activities and enhance competitiveness. In 2025, the Authority granted two similar licenses to Jetex Arabia and Alliance Aviation Arabia, reinforcing its role as a leading regulator of the air transport industry through strategic partnerships that strengthen the sector’s capabilities and improve operational efficiency in line with the objectives of the Aviation Program under the National Transport and Logistics Strategy.