- renata927
- Feb 19
- 3 min read
Saudi Arabia opens private aviation market
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) announced in a press release today the opening of the domestic private aviation market to international operators by removing cabotage restrictions on foreign on-demand charter flights within the Kingdom. The new policy, effective May 1, 2025, will allow foreign charter operators to apply for permission to operate domestic flights, following specific requirements set by GACA.
“GACA is unlocking new opportunities for the global aviation industry, by removing restrictions on charter flight businesses to operate domestically in the Kingdom,” said GACA General Manager for General Aviation Imtiyaz Manzary. “This regulatory decision supports GACA’s roadmap to establish Saudi Arabia as a general aviation hub, alongside an unprecedented infrastructure program to establish new private airports and terminals across the Kingdom,” he added. GACA’s General Aviation Roadmap was launched during the Future Aviation Forum in May 2024, including a comprehensive transformation program to develop the general aviation sector into a $2 billion industry by 2030, supporting 35,000 jobs. The roadmap aligns infrastructure planning and regulations across the sector, delivering six dedicated business aviation airports and a further nine dedicated business aviation terminals. It will also increase the number of business aviation Fixed-Base Operators and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul capacity for business jets.
French business aviation faces sharp tax hike from March 1
France’s newly adopted 2025 budget introduces significant tax rate increases for business aviation. Without a swift decision to cancel the new legislation, passenger-carrying commercial business aircraft will be subject to the new taxes from March 1st. The new tax rates, known as the “taxe sur les billets d’avions”, range from €210 to €2,100 ($2,200) per passenger - representing a 300% increase over previous rates.
EBAA France chairman Charles Aguettant highlighted the disproportionate effect of the tax on short-haul domestic flights. For example, a group of six travellers flying a Cessna Citation CJ2 for a three-leg journey within France could face €7,500 in taxes on a €12,000 charter, while two passengers on a long-haul flight from Paris to Tokyo would pay €2,100 each despite the significantly higher cost of the trip.
In response, EBAA France has backed legal action against the policy, with Dassault Aviation leading a challenge in the European Court of Rights. Daher and EBAA’s Brussels headquarters are also supporting the case. Meanwhile, France’s Constitutional Council is reviewing a petition arguing that the tax violates constitutional principles. The move has also exposed divisions in the aviation industry. Airbus, whose air transport operations are already covered under France’s existing carbon taxation policies, has not opposed the tax.
Eviation pauses production of electric Alice, lays off staff
Electric aircraft startup Eviation has laid off most of its staff, as it struggles to raise fresh funds. Andre Stein, CEO of Eviation, confirmed the layoffs in a statement and said the company is focused on finding “the right opportunities.” Founded one decade ago, Eviation unveiled its first one-quarter-scale Alice prototype, “The Orca,” at the 2017 Paris Air Show. At the 2019 event, it revealed the first full-scale prototype of the regional commuter aircraft. The full-scale Alice prototype, which Eviation once billed as the “production configuration,” made its historic first flight on Sept. 27, 2022. Later, the start-up had said it would fly a production-conforming prototype of the battery-electric aircraft in 2025, with the aim of securing certification about two years later.
People: Dassault key appointments in pre-owned sales: Desvignes and Martin
Dassault Aviation has made two key appointments intended to reinforce its pre-owned Falcon offering. Yvon Desvignes (pictured left) was named Director of Pre-Owned Sales for Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Rim. He moves up from Deputy Director and replaces Dominique Cruchon, who has retired. Nicolas Martin takes over as Deputy Director for the vast network, which covers all markets except the Americas. Desvignes has worked with Dassault for 35 years, both in customer service and other capacities. He began his career as a technical expert at Dassault’s Paris-Le Bourget support center and later transitioned to customer service management roles, including Customer Support Manager for Northern Europe. Nicolas Martin takes over as Deputy Director for the vast network, which covers all markets except the Americas. Martin has been with Dassault for 15 years, beginning as a trainee in the Propulsion Department. He was an aerodynamics and wind tunnel test engineer for several years before moving over to customer support, serving operators in Switzerland, France, the UK, and Finland. Both Desvignes and Martin are private pilots, which allows them to view each transaction through the eyes of crew, maintenance professional, and end-user alike.
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