Alliance Aviation Opens Saudi Arabia’s First Purpose-Built General Aviation Hangar in AlUla
The move underlines Saudi Arabia’s private aviation push within its Vision 2030 agenda as demand surges for business-jet infrastructure
Alliance Aviation, the Ireland-based private aviation specialist, has officially opened Saudi Arabia’s first purpose-built general aviation (GA) hangar and full-service Fixed Base Operation (FBO) at Al‑Ula International Airport.
The facility, developed in partnership with the Royal Commission for AlUla, spans 2,850 square metres and can accommodate up to two large-cabin jets and two light jets, or a combination such as two Gulfstream G650s and one Challenger 650.
The project was formally announced at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh.
The new hangar provides climate-controlled storage, dedicated crew rest and operations areas, VIP lounges, high-speed connectivity and 24/7 access and line-maintenance support.
Alliance Aviation will also manage ground handling, aircraft management, and hangar services at the site.
The launch reflects Saudi Arabia’s ambition to upgrade its aviation and tourism infrastructure under its Vision 2030 transformation strategy and establish AlUla as a premium destination for culture, heritage and high-net-worth travel.
This development fits into the broader context of Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector growth, where the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) is steering the National Aviation Strategy and targeting connectivity to over 250 destinations across its 29 airports.
The private aviation segment is a key sub-sector, and the AlUla hangar contributes to the Kingdom’s goal of capturing increased high-end business and private-jet traffic amid tourism expansion.
Brendan McQuaid, founder of Alliance Aviation, described the project as “a milestone for Alliance and for Saudi Arabia’s private aviation future” and said the partner-ship “bridges culture, commerce and connectivity”.
For the Royal Commission for AlUla, the facility aligns with its objective of attracting two million annual visitors and contributing 150 billion Saudi riyals to the Kingdom’s GDP by 2035.
Despite the milestone, the hangar is one component of a wider infrastructure push.
Saudi Arabia continues to face issues including regulatory complexity, workforce capacity in aviation support services and the challenge of ensuring that airport and fixed-base infrastructure keep pace with rapid growth in business and tourism air travel.
The AlUla facility is expected to set a benchmark for future developments in the Kingdom’s expanding business-aviation network.
With the facility already operational, Saudi Arabia’s positioning of AlUla as both a luxury destination and aviation hub is gaining traction, and Alliance Aviation appears well-placed to capture demand from high-net-worth travellers and private-jet operators seeking deep-pocketed access to the Gulf’s emerging aviation frontier.
The facility, developed in partnership with the Royal Commission for AlUla, spans 2,850 square metres and can accommodate up to two large-cabin jets and two light jets, or a combination such as two Gulfstream G650s and one Challenger 650.
The project was formally announced at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh.
The new hangar provides climate-controlled storage, dedicated crew rest and operations areas, VIP lounges, high-speed connectivity and 24/7 access and line-maintenance support.
Alliance Aviation will also manage ground handling, aircraft management, and hangar services at the site.
The launch reflects Saudi Arabia’s ambition to upgrade its aviation and tourism infrastructure under its Vision 2030 transformation strategy and establish AlUla as a premium destination for culture, heritage and high-net-worth travel.
This development fits into the broader context of Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector growth, where the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) is steering the National Aviation Strategy and targeting connectivity to over 250 destinations across its 29 airports.
The private aviation segment is a key sub-sector, and the AlUla hangar contributes to the Kingdom’s goal of capturing increased high-end business and private-jet traffic amid tourism expansion.
Brendan McQuaid, founder of Alliance Aviation, described the project as “a milestone for Alliance and for Saudi Arabia’s private aviation future” and said the partner-ship “bridges culture, commerce and connectivity”.
For the Royal Commission for AlUla, the facility aligns with its objective of attracting two million annual visitors and contributing 150 billion Saudi riyals to the Kingdom’s GDP by 2035.
Despite the milestone, the hangar is one component of a wider infrastructure push.
Saudi Arabia continues to face issues including regulatory complexity, workforce capacity in aviation support services and the challenge of ensuring that airport and fixed-base infrastructure keep pace with rapid growth in business and tourism air travel.
The AlUla facility is expected to set a benchmark for future developments in the Kingdom’s expanding business-aviation network.
With the facility already operational, Saudi Arabia’s positioning of AlUla as both a luxury destination and aviation hub is gaining traction, and Alliance Aviation appears well-placed to capture demand from high-net-worth travellers and private-jet operators seeking deep-pocketed access to the Gulf’s emerging aviation frontier.
