Celebrating 45 Years of Jet Aviation Saudi Arabia
This year, we celebrate 45 years of Jet Aviation Saudi Arabia. From Jeddah, to Riyadh, to Medina, we sincerely thank every one of you who has been on this journey with us.
Here we explore our history in the Kingdom and our network, and share special memories from some of our longest serving employees. We hope you enjoy the read.
In 1979, Jet Aviation landed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. As a Saudi-Swiss joint venture, the company started providing ground handling and maintenance services for the business aviation industry. It was the first such company to set up a Fixed Base Operation (FBO) in the Kingdom, a decision which would prove to be key for further growth in the country and beyond.
Of the past years, a lot has changed, not only in Saudi Arabia, but at Jet Aviation. From one FBO, we now offer services in Jeddah, Riyadh, and Medina. We have built long and strong partnerships with key industry bodies and authorities to collaborate on the growth of business aviation in the country and evolve our capabilities to meet the changing needs of our customers. We are partner of choice for travelers arriving for key events such as the Future Investment Initiative, where our FBO in Riyadh welcomed some 400 flights during this major economic and political gathering, or the Formula 1 in Jeddah, as well as significant cultural and seasonal events.
The business aviation industry in Saudi Arabia has also grown. Today, there are over 120 business aircraft based in the Kingdom, and data shows activity has grown by some 50% since 2019. There has been investment in airport infrastructure, expansion of facilities at key airports such as Riyadh’s King Khalid and Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz, as well as new hubs like King Salman, Riyadh. In addition, projects such as the NEOM ‘digital city’, the Red Sea Project, and Al-Ula are developing tourism, attracting investors, and increasing demand for business aviation services.
It is an exciting time, and as a global business aviation infrastructure and service provider with extensive experience in Saudi Arabia and beyond, we are looking forward to contributing our expertise to continue to support our partners and customers.
As we look back on four and a half decades of operation in Saudi Arabia, we are delighted to take you with us through our history in the Kingdom, the services we offer today, and the changes some of our longest-serving employees have seen over the past 45 years.
Thank you for trusting us as your partner of choice. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
“We are incredibly humbled to have been partner of choice for our customers in Saudi Arabia for so many years,” says Hardy Bütschi, VP Regional Operations Middle East & GM Dubai. “45 years is an incredible milestone, and represents our long-term commitment to our customers and partners in the Kingdom. Over the decades we have grown, developing our services to meet the evolving needs of these customers, and ensure we remain relevant as their trusted partner for many years to come.”
Our History in Saudi Arabia
1979 — Jet Aviation entered the Middle East as the first business aviation services company to set up an FBO in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, providing ground handling and maintenance services in Jeddah. 
1983 — Jet Aviation was forging a name for itself in the Middle East, and to support its FBO operation founded two years earlier in Jeddah, the company opened a second FBO in Saudi Arabia at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. 
2011 — In Spring 2011 the company hosted the grand opening of its new FBO and line maintenance facility in Jeddah. 
2012 — Continuing its commitment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jet Aviation launched ground handling services at Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport, the fourth busiest airport in the country.
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