Universal Aviation has begun operations at the new General Aviation Terminal and FBO at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, marking the company’s first operational location in the country.

Universal Aviation is managing and operating the new facility while providing full-service ground handling. The company has also handled its first flight through the terminal, formally launching live operations.

Developed in partnership with MATARAT Holding and Dammam Airports Company, the facility is the first dedicated General Aviation Terminal/FBO in Saudi Arabia. It includes a 42,000-square-foot terminal and approximately 20,000-square-foot private aviation hangar.

The opening follows an operational-readiness program that began after Universal Aviation was awarded the concession to manage the Dammam facility in late 2025. Preparations included recruiting and training a local team, acquiring and deploying new ground support equipment and completing required safety, regulatory and operational certification processes.

Universal Aviation also received GACAR Part 151 certification from Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation, which is required for ground service providers operating in the country.

“Bringing the new Dammam GAT to operational readiness required a tremendous amount of coordination across facility development, staffing, training, equipment, safety systems, regulatory approvals, and operating procedures,” said John Hewett, global vice president of Universal Aviation. “We have built an operation that supports clients well before the aircraft arrives, with proactive communication, clear advance information, and coordinated support through every stage of the mission.”

Dammam is the first of three Universal Aviation locations planned for Saudi Arabia. Additional operations in Jeddah and Riyadh are expected to open later this year.

At King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Universal Aviation plans to manage an approximately 108,000-square-foot private aviation hangar and provide full-service ground handling. At King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the company plans to operate a private aviation lounge and provide full-service ground handling.

Universal Aviation has also established a centralized Operational Control Center to support flights operating into, out of and within Saudi Arabia. The center will coordinate pre-arrival planning, local procedures, ground services, multi-city itineraries and communications among Universal Aviation teams, airport authorities and other service providers.

The company operates at more than 75 locations in more than 20 countries.