What this page covers
Saudi Ground Services (SGS) is a ground handling company at the main airports in Saudi Arabia. This page explains how LFS arranges SGS handling for business aviation, charter and cargo operators, what we coordinate around it, and what you need to send us.
If you are looking for SGS itself, for jobs or corporate information, please contact SGS directly. For country-level permit and airport information, see flight support in Saudi Arabia. For complete trips, see business aviation trip support in Saudi Arabia.
Airports where we arrange SGS handling
We regularly request SGS handling at the main Saudi gateways below. Availability, services and parking are confirmed with SGS and the airport for each flight.
- Riyadh — King Khalid International (OERK / RUH)
- Jeddah — King Abdulaziz International (OEJN / JED)
- Dammam — King Fahd International (OEDF / DMM)
- Medina — Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz (OEMA / MED)
- Al Baha — Al Baha Domestic (OEAB / ABT)
Airport pages
Station detail is on Riyadh OERK handling, Jeddah OEJN handling, Dammam OEDF handling and Medina OEMA handling.
What we coordinate with SGS
The handling request is built from your flight details, so SGS receives one clear brief instead of a chain of emails. Typical service lines include:
- Arrival and departure ramp handling, marshalling and parking
- Ground power, air start and pushback where needed
- Passenger and crew processing, baggage and terminal coordination
- Lavatory and potable water service
- Cargo acceptance and loading coordination for cargo flights
- Catering delivery coordination with your chosen caterer
What LFS adds around the handling
Handling is only one part of a Saudi movement. The flight also needs a GACA permit, often a slot or parking allocation, fuel, and transport and hotels for the crew. If one part is out of step, the flight is not ready. LFS keeps them in one trip file:
Permits
Overflight and landing permits from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). See Saudi Arabia overflight permits. During Hajj and Umrah seasons, see Hajj and Umrah flight permits.
Fuel
Jet A-1 uplift booked ahead of arrival with the fuel release on the trip sheet, through fuel services.
Crew logistics
Hotels, transport and visa questions for crew, through aircraft crew logistics in Saudi Arabia. Entry rules depend on each crew member's nationality, so we confirm them before departure.
Supervision
Where you want someone checking the turnaround on your behalf, see ground supervision.
How a request works
1. Send the flight details
Aircraft type and registration, schedule, routing, number of passengers or cargo details, and the services you need.
2. We check and request
We confirm the airport and handling arrangements with SGS, file or check the permit, and book fuel and crew logistics if needed.
3. You get one confirmation
A trip sheet with the handler, parking, permit status, fuel release and crew arrangements, updated if anything changes.
Busy seasons and short notice
Saudi airports are busiest around Hajj, Umrah peaks, major events and holidays. Parking and handling capacity can be limited at those times, and some requests need more notice. We tell you early if an airport cannot take the flight as planned and look at alternatives, rather than leaving the question open.
Short-notice and night requests are handled by the 24/7 duty desk in Bahrain. Whether a request can be met depends on SGS, the airport and the authority on the day.
Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Medina: what to expect
Riyadh (OERK)
The capital's main airport serves government, business and corporate traffic throughout the year. Many business aviation trips are short visits for meetings, so arrival and departure times often change at short notice. We keep the handler, parking and permit updated together when they do.
Jeddah (OEJN)
Jeddah is the main gateway for Makkah and sees its heaviest traffic in Hajj and Umrah periods. Parking for non-scheduled aircraft can be limited at peak times, so the earlier we know about a flight, the more options there are.
Dammam (OEDF)
Dammam serves the Eastern Province and its energy-sector traffic, and is a natural stop for flights connecting with Bahrain across the causeway. Charter, crew-change and cargo flights are common here.
Medina (OEMA)
Medina is busy with pilgrimage traffic, especially around Ramadan and Hajj. Planning is similar to Jeddah: confirm parking and handling early, and keep the schedule as fixed as possible once confirmed.
Information that speeds up an SGS request
The fastest requests arrive complete. Missing details are the most common reason a handling confirmation takes longer than it should. Before you send a request, check that you have the aircraft's maximum take-off weight and dimensions, the exact passenger and crew numbers, any passengers needing assistance, the catering order or caterer, the fuel quantity, and how long the aircraft will stay on the ground.
For long stays, tell us early. Parking for several days is handled differently from a quick turnaround, and at busy airports it may need to be agreed with the airport as well as the handler. If parking is not available for the full stay, we will say so and look at drop-and-go or repositioning to another airport.
Charter, cargo and special flights
Passenger charter flights need the handling to match the passenger numbers and terminal processing on the permit, so the manifest and the handling request are sent together. Cargo flights need weights, dimensions, loading equipment and any dangerous goods declared in advance; whether a load can be accepted depends on the airport and handler, and we confirm it before the flight is planned around it.
Medical and humanitarian flights often move at short notice. The duty desk can request handling outside office hours, and we work with the airport and authority to see what is possible. For more, see medevac flight support in the Middle East and cargo aircraft ground handling in the Middle East.
Arabic and English coordination
The LFS desk works in Arabic and English. Handling requests, permit questions and on-the-day changes can be raised with the airport and handler in Arabic where that helps, while your crew and operations team receive every confirmation in English. This avoids misunderstandings over parking, timings and services, especially when plans change late in the day.
Every change is confirmed back in writing. If SGS, the airport or the authority cannot meet a request as asked, we explain why and set out the options, such as a different time, a different terminal arrangement or another airport, so your team can decide quickly and the crew knows exactly what to expect when they land.
Costs and invoicing
Handling charges are set by the handler and the airport and depend on aircraft size, services used and time on the ground. We do not publish fixed prices. We provide an estimate for your flight when we review the request, and the final invoice reflects the services actually provided. Credit account holders can have Saudi handling, fuel and permits on one LFS invoice.
Who uses this service
Private and corporate flight departments, charter operators, aircraft management companies, cargo operators and brokers who want one point of contact for a Saudi trip. It also suits operators making their first trip into the Kingdom, who want the handling, permit and logistics questions answered before they file.
For other handlers we work with across the region, see handling partners, and for how ground handling and FBOs differ, see ground handling and FBO services.
Frequently asked questions
Is LFS part of Saudi Ground Services?+
No. LFS is an independent trip-support company. We request and coordinate SGS handling on behalf of operators, alongside permits, fuel and crew logistics.
Which airports can you arrange SGS handling at?+
We regularly arrange it at Riyadh (OERK), Jeddah (OEJN), Dammam (OEDF), Medina (OEMA) and Al Baha (OEAB). Services and parking are confirmed for each flight.
Can you also file the GACA permit?+
Yes. LFS files overflight and landing permits with the General Authority of Civil Aviation and keeps them aligned with the handling and parking.
Do you handle cargo flights?+
Yes. We coordinate cargo handling requests with the handler and airport, including special loads where the station can accept them.
How much notice do you need?+
As much as possible, especially in Hajj and Umrah seasons. The duty desk confirms what is realistic for your flight when it reviews the request.
Who do I contact for jobs or corporate questions about SGS?+
Please contact Saudi Ground Services directly. LFS can only help with arranging handling for flights.
Ready to plan your Saudi handling?
Send your aircraft, schedule and services needed through our request form. Our dispatch team will confirm the handling, permit and logistics arrangements for your flight. All services remain subject to confirmation by the handler, the airport and the relevant authority.