Establish, Scale and Operate Your Aviation Business in Saudi Arabia
Learn how AstroLabs helps international aviation companies establish operations in Saudi Arabia.
Why Launch an Aviation Business in Saudi Arabia?
Backed by Vision 2030 and anchored by major infrastructure expansions, the Kingdom is investing heavily in airports, airlines, MRO capabilities, cargo infrastructure, and advanced air mobility. AstroLabs helps international aviation companies turn this momentum into market presence. From securing the right commercial license and corporate structure to navigating regulatory approvals and local compliance requirements, we ensure a seamless market entry process.
Reasons Why Saudi Arabia's Aviation Sector Is Open for Business
$90.6B
Aviation's total contribution to Saudi Arabia's economy, equivalent to 8.5% of GDP
141,000
People directly employed by the sector, supporting a total of 1.4 million jobs across the wider ecosystem
66.7M
Passengers welcomed by Saudi airports in the first half of 2025 alone
467,000
Flights handled across Saudi airports in H1 2025
Getting Your Aviation Business Off the Ground in Saudi Arabia
First Stage: Legal Entity Establishment (1 Month)
- Obtain a MISA Investor License (valid for one year)
- Reserve company name
- Draft & notarize Articles of Association (AoA)
- Secure Commercial Registration (CR) from the Ministry of Commerce
- Register with the Chamber of Commerce (CoC)
Second Stage: Authorization & Hiring (2–3 Months)
- Obtain the official company seal
- Register with the Ministry of Labor
- Enroll with GOSI for employee insurance
- Register the business National Address
- Issue a General Manager (GM) visa
- Register with ZATCA for VAT compliance
Post-Setup Compliance Checklist
Tax Filing with ZATCA
Aviation companies are subject to corporate income tax, VAT obligations, and withholding tax requirements depending on their activity type and revenue structure. AstroLabs ensures your annual filings are submitted accurately and on time, keeping your entity in good standing with ZATCA.
Annual License and Registration Renewals
our MISA license, Commercial Registration, and GM Iqama all operate on renewal cycles. Missing deadlines creates operational risk and potential restrictions on your ability to bid for contracts. AstroLabs tracks every renewal date and manages submissions proactively.
Government Platform Management
Active and accurate registration across Muqeem, Qiwa, Mudad, and Absher is mandatory for ongoing operations. AstroLabs manages your government portal presence so nothing lapses and your entity remains fully operational at all times.
Payroll and HR Reporting
Regular payroll reporting, GOSI contributions, and salary record management are non-negotiable obligations for any Saudi entity. AstroLabs handles the full HR compliance cycle so your people operations stay clean and your liability exposure stays minimal.
Saudization and Workforce Compliance
Meeting your Nitaqat quota is a legal requirement that affects your ability to obtain visas, renew licenses, and access government contracts. AstroLabs monitors your Saudization status and helps you build a compliant workforce strategy that keeps you firmly out of the red zone
Why Aviation Companies Choose AstroLabs
We Know How Aviation Businesses Are Licensed
Aviation companies operate across a wide range of activities in Saudi Arabia — from MRO and ground handling to aviation technology, logistics, and consultancy — and each carries specific licensing considerations. AstroLabs has the sector experience to identify the right license type and entity structure for your activity from the outset.
Fast Enough for a Market That Doesn't Wait
Saudi Arabia's aviation opportunity is time-sensitive, with government contracts, infrastructure projects, and airline partnerships moving on their own timelines. AstroLabs secures MISA licenses in as little as 10 days and gets clients fully operational in an average of three months — so you're in position to pursue opportunities whenever they're live.
End-to-End Support From Day 1
From MISA licensing and commercial registration through to Saudization compliance, banking, and government portal management, our 50+ in-country consultants handle every step of the setup and post-setup lifecycle. Your team focuses on the business. We handle everything else.
Access to AstroLab's Ever-Growing Network
AstroLabs connects aviation companies to a network of 20,000+ regional decision-makers and a community of 850+ businesses already active in the Kingdom — giving you immediate proximity to the airlines, airport operators, government authorities, and industry partners that are central to building a commercial presence in Saudi aviation.
Hear it Directly from the Leaders
AstroLabs has also been an incredible support system, not just since Virgin began flying in Saudi Arabia, but even before. We were looking to find a home, not just an office space where you can have a desk and work. We wanted a place where we could be among other like-minded companies, including those entering this market for the first time. It’s a wonderful environment that truly supports our needs and accommodates like-minded businesses with whom we are keen to explore potential opportunities.
Justin Bell
General Manager