By Rafiq Vayani
RIYADH: beOnd, the world’s first premium leisure airline, today announced that it has begun the process to launch an airline and receive an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, pursuant to the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). The announcement positions beOnd at the heart of the Kingdom’s ambitious tourism and aviation vision. It aligns with the Aviation Program under Saudi Arabia’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy and strengthens the Kingdom’s objective of building a competitive, world-class aviation sector.
“Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s fastest-growing and most distinctive tourism destinations, known for both its ambition and exclusivity. We are grateful for the support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and in particular, GACA, towards our vision of bringing the private jet-like experience to a wider set of discerning travellers through thoughtful design, simplicity, and genuine hospitality,” said Tero Taskila, Founder and CEO of beOnd.
“The Aviation Program is opening the charter market to new operators, driving competition and attracting additional investment into the sector. This tender award marks an important step in diversifying our aviation offering and supporting the sector’s broader transformation, while expanding flexible connectivity options that meet the Kingdom’s growing travel needs,” said Awad Alsulami, Executive Vice President for Economic Policies & Logistics Services at GACA.
The news was released today at a ceremony in Riyadh with representatives from beOnd and GACA. It follows beOnd’s successful participation at TOURISE 2025, the Kingdom’s flagship global tourism and investment forum. beOnd was invited by the Saudi Ministry of Tourism to showcase its multi-AOC growth model as an example of innovation driving Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030’s tourism transformation.
GACA has awarded a national charter carrier tender to BeOnd. Upon receipt, the licenses will authorize beOnd to provide bespoke domestic and international charter services across the Kingdom, supporting GACA’s efforts to expand travel choices and enhance service quality for passengers. beOnd will base and operate aircraft within the Kingdom, creating new luxury gateways aligned with Vision 2030’s goal of attracting 150 million annual visitors. The company plans to deploy up to 20 aircraft by 2030, targeting to carry one million premium leisure travelers through its expanding network of destinations.
beOnd’s model focuses on the fast-growing segment of premium leisure travelers — high-spending individuals seeking tailored experiences and elevated service. With fully lie-flat seating, fine dining, and a minimalist design aesthetic, beOnd bridges the gap between private aviation and scheduled travel.
“This represents an entry into Saudi Arabia’s next chapter of experiential luxury travel,” said Taskila. “Our Saudi vision will be a cornerstone of beOnd’s multi-destination strategy, connecting cultures, economies, and people through beautifully simple travel.”
The news today follows beOnd’s recent announcement of the launch beOnd America, and customer and operational success between Europe, the Middle East, and the Maldives, where beOnd has delivered resilience, scalability, and unmatched access to one of the world’s leading luxury destinations. beOnd will continue to scale its business in the Maldives, which will always be home.
