Operations Control CenterKing Salman Air Base
LFS's 24/7 ops desk can coordinate flight support requests for King Salman Air Base (OESN) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. From flight planning and CAA permits to contract fuel, ground handling, crew hotac and concierge, every service is delivered through a single point of contact and consolidated on a single invoice.
King Salman Air Base is identified by ICAO location indicator OESN.
It serves the municipality of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The aerodrome reference point is 24.4653°, 46.6593°.
The nearest larger airport is King Khalid International Airport (RUH), about 30 NM away.
Operational context
King Salman Air Base (OESN) serves Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
For crew, LFS coordinates ground transport, vetted hotac and visa support in Riyadh. For passengers, VIP terminal access, concierge and security screening can be arranged on short notice. All services are delivered through a single LFS account manager and consolidated on a single invoice.
- ▸OFP & route optimization
- ▸Weather & NOTAM brief
- ▸ETOPS / EDTO planning
- ▸Fuel & payload calculations
- ▸Overflight clearances
- ▸Landing permits
- ▸Slot coordination
- ▸Diplomatic & charter approvals
- ▸Negotiated into-plane pricing
- ▸Single consolidated invoice
- ▸Fuel quality assurance
- ▸24/7 release coordination
- ▸Marshalling, GPU, stairs
- ▸Lavatory & potable water
- ▸Baggage & security
- ▸VIP terminal access
- ▸Hotac & ground transport
- ▸Visas & immigration support
- ▸Catering coordination
- ▸Concierge & meet-and-greet
- ▸Live trip dashboard
- ▸Document delivery
- ▸eAPIS / GENDEC filing
- ▸On-the-ground supervision
What OESN is — and what it is not
OESN is published in the Saudi Arabian AIP as King Salman Airbase, a controlled military aerodrome about 24 km southwest of Riyadh city. The AIP lists the aerodrome operator as the military, field elevation as 2,450 ft and two parallel runways, 02L/20R and 02R/20L. That makes OESN a very different planning problem from King Khalid International (OERK), the civil gateway that serves most business aviation into Riyadh.
Because OESN is a military aerodrome, a civil operator should not treat it as a normal alternative to OERK. Access is a question of authorisation first and logistics second. Requests are usually linked to state, government, defence or official delegations, and they are approved — or declined — by the responsible Saudi authorities, not by LFS or any handling agent.
Who typically asks LFS about OESN
Most OESN enquiries reaching the LFS desk come from operators supporting official missions: government and head-of-state aircraft, military transport flights carrying delegations or equipment, and contractors moving under a sponsored programme. In each case the operator usually already knows the destination is a military base; what they need is help assembling a complete, consistent clearance package and coordinating the civil elements around it.
If your passengers are attending meetings in Riyadh and there is no official reason to use the air base, King Khalid International is normally the practical choice. Our Riyadh OERK handling guide and Saudi Arabia business aviation trip support pages cover that civil route in detail.
Clearances: the critical path
Diplomatic or state clearance
State and military aircraft generally need a diplomatic clearance, requested through official channels such as the operator's embassy, with the host-side sponsor confirming the visit. LFS can prepare and track the operational content of the request — aircraft data, crew and passenger lists, purpose of flight, schedule and routing — so that the request is complete when it is filed. See our diplomatic clearance service for the general process.
Overflight of Saudi and neighbouring airspace
The routing into Riyadh will normally cross other states, each with its own overflight rules for state aircraft. Saudi overflight requirements are summarised on our Saudi Arabia overflight permits page; the wider process is covered under overflight permits. Build the clearance timeline around the slowest state on the route, not the fastest.
Schedule changes
Military clearances are often tied to a specific date, time window and aircraft registration. A tail swap, delay or added passenger can require an amendment. Tell the desk about any change as early as possible so the amendment can be requested before the original approval lapses.
Ground services published for OESN
The AIP entry for OESN lists customs and immigration, health, AIS, ATS and fuelling as H24, handling as "by arrangement" and cargo-handling facilities as nil. Fuel types listed include Jet A-1 and JP-8, delivered by tanker. Published hours describe the aerodrome, not a guarantee of service for a particular flight: on a military base, what is actually provided for a visiting aircraft is set in the approval and by the host unit.
- Handling: arrange in advance through the sponsor and host; do not assume a commercial handler is present.
- Fuel: confirm grade, quantity, payment or reimbursement arrangements and any additive requirements before departure. Our aviation fuel team can advise on uplift planning and tankering decisions.
- Crew and passengers: visas, entry formalities and transport off the base follow the approval and the host's security procedures.
- Cargo: with no published cargo facilities, any loading or unloading of equipment must be planned with the host unit.
Riyadh alternates and civil options
Every OESN plan should include a realistic alternate. King Khalid International (OERK) is the main civil airport for Riyadh and is the usual alternate for operational and passenger reasons, although using it still requires the normal Saudi landing permission and handling. Our landing permits guide explains what civil authorities usually ask for.
If the mission profile changes and the flight no longer needs the air base, switching the destination to OERK early usually makes logistics simpler: commercial handling, crew hotels and ground transport are arranged in the normal way, and the crew logistics team can handle hotels and transport for Saudi Arabia.
What LFS does — and does not — do at OESN
LFS acts as the operator's coordination point. We prepare permit and clearance content, file civil overflight and landing requests where those apply, submit flight plans, arrange fuel and civil-side services, and keep one consolidated timeline for the crew. We do not operate the air base, we cannot grant access to it, and we do not claim a permanent presence there. Any service on the base is subject to approval by the Saudi authorities and the host unit.
Information to send with an OESN enquiry
- Operator, aircraft type, registration, MTOW and callsign (state or military if applicable).
- Purpose of flight and the sponsoring ministry or organisation, if known.
- Full routing with UTC times, origin and onward destination.
- Crew and passenger numbers, nationalities and any VIP or protocol requirements.
- Fuel uplift, ground-time and any cargo or equipment to be loaded or offloaded.
Frequently asked questions
Is OESN a civil airport?
No. The Saudi AIP lists OESN as King Salman Airbase, a controlled military aerodrome southwest of Riyadh. Civil business flights to Riyadh normally use King Khalid International (OERK).
Can a private jet land at King Salman Air Base?
Only with authorisation from the responsible Saudi authorities. Requests are usually linked to official, state or defence missions. LFS can help prepare the request but cannot grant access.
Is fuel available at OESN?
The AIP lists Jet A-1 and JP-8 delivered by tanker. Availability, quantity and payment for a visiting aircraft must be confirmed through the approval and the host before departure.
Which airport is the alternate for OESN?
King Khalid International (OERK) is the usual civil alternate for Riyadh. Using it still requires normal Saudi landing permission and handling; see our OERK guide.
How early should I start an OESN request?
As early as the mission allows. Diplomatic and military clearances depend on official channels and every state on the route, so there is no fixed lead time that LFS can promise.
Official and reference sources
Reviewed 19 October 2026. Current AIP, NOTAMs, authority requirements and written provider confirmations govern each flight.
Send your flight details
Share your route, aircraft, UTC schedule and the services you need. The LFS desk will review the request and confirm documentation, availability and terms. Permits and access remain subject to approval by the relevant authority.
Request service at OESN