Roberta Aguirre
Saudi Arabia is home to several airports, including 13 international airports, 2 regional airports, and 14 domestic airports. The busiest airport in Saudi Arabia is King Abdulaziz International Airport, which serves as the main gateway for pilgrims traveling to Mecca. The airport is located about 19 kilometers north of Jeddah and has 5 terminals, including one that is exclusively used during the Hajj season. The second busiest airport in Saudi Arabia is King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which is operated by the Riyadh Airports Company and features a royal terminal for VIP travelers. Other notable airports include Prince Sultan Airport, Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Airport, and King Fahd International Airport, which is the biggest airport in the world. These airports are under the supervision of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and play a significant role in the country's economy and tourism.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of airports | 29 commercial airports, including 13 international airports, 2 regional airports, and 14 domestic airports |
| Control | The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) supervises the international airports |
| Airport management companies | Riyadh Airports Company, Dammam Airports Company (DACO), Cluster 2 Airports Company |
| Airlines | Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines), Flynas, Flyadeal, Flydubai, Air Arabia, Nile Air, Nesma International Airlines |
| Cargo services | Yes, cargo villages at some airports, including Riyadh and Dammam |
| Energy efficiency | Yes, some airports have energy efficiency projects, such as the one launched by the Riyadh Airport in 2021 |
| Notable airports | King Fahd International Airport (the biggest airport in the world), King Abdulaziz International Airport (the largest and busiest airport in Saudi Arabia), King Khalid International Airport, Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Airport, Taif International Airport |
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What You'll Learn
- The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) supervises international airports
- Riyadh Airports Company controls King Khalid International Airport
- Dammam Airports Company (DACO) manages King Fahd International Airport
- Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport is Saudi Arabia's busiest airport
- The country has 29 commercial airports, including 13 international and 14 domestic
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) supervises international airports
Saudi Arabia has a highly developed air transportation system, with 26 international and domestic airports that serve as a gateway to the rest of the world. The busiest airport in Saudi Arabia is King Abdulaziz International Airport, which is used heavily during the Hajj season. The airport has 5 terminals, including a special Hajj Terminal. This airport alone serves 109 destinations and 55 airlines, with Saudia Airlines being the largest and the country's national airline.
Several companies operate Saudi Arabia's airports. These include the Riyadh Airports Company, which controls the operational processes at Riyadh King Khalid Airport, and the Dammam Airports Company (DACO), which has completed projects at King Fahd International Airport, including the development of cargo villages.
Saudi Arabia's airports have been undergoing expansion and modernisation in recent years. New projects, such as the Neom Bay Airport, are part of the Kingdom's "Vision 2030" to increase tourism and diversify the economy. The Tabuk Airport, which opened in 2011, is the newest airport in the country, while the Ha'il Regional Airport, which opened in 1978, was one of the first airports in Saudi Arabia to feature ultra-modern infrastructure.
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Riyadh Airports Company controls King Khalid International Airport
Saudi Arabia has 26 domestic and international airports, which serve as a gateway to the rest of the world. International airports are distributed throughout most provinces of the Kingdom, with some areas hosting more than one. These airports are under the supervision of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).
One of the airports in Saudi Arabia is King Khalid International Airport (KKIA), which is located about 32 km away from Riyadh. It is one of the largest airports in Saudi Arabia, covering an area of 776 square km. The airport was designed by architectural practice Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum and was opened by HRH King Fahd on 16 November 1983, with scheduled flights commencing on 5 December of the same year. The airport has five main passenger terminals, four of which were built when the airport opened in 1983, and Terminal 5 was opened in 2016. Terminal 3 is currently under renovation, while Terminal 4 is expected to be equipped with the required facilities. The airport also has a Royal Terminal for esteemed and VIP travellers, as well as a Royal Mosque.
The Riyadh Airports Company is responsible for managing the King Khalid International Airport. The company enables the airport to control its operational processes across its various facilities, allowing proactive measures based on data and improving planning operations. The airport launched an energy efficiency project in 2021, aiming to increase energy efficiency in terms of consumption and cost and to transform airport facilities into smart and environmentally friendly buildings.
The Cargo Village at the King Khalid International Airport, inaugurated in 2020, serves as a logistical platform. The total area of the Cargo Village is 275,000 m², and it serves over 50 destinations worldwide.
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Dammam Airports Company (DACO) manages King Fahd International Airport
Saudi Arabia has 26 domestic and international airports, which act as a gateway to the rest of the world. The country is renowned for its pivotal role in the oil industry and its religious significance as the home of Islam's two holiest sites, Mecca and Medina. These factors, along with its striking landscapes, attract millions of pilgrims and tourists each year.
The Kingdom's airports are under the supervision of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). One of the international airports in Saudi Arabia is King Fahd International Airport, which is located in Dammam. With over 10 million passengers annually, it is the third-largest airport in the Kingdom by passenger volume. The airport has two 4-kilometre runways and three terminal buildings: the Passenger Terminal, the Aramco Terminal, and the Royal Terminal.
Since July 2017, King Fahd International Airport has been operated and managed by the Dammam Airports Company (DACO). DACO is responsible for the management, operation, and development of the airport, with a focus on enhancing operational efficiency, services, and infrastructure. The company's strategic goals are aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which includes increasing passenger capacity, growing cargo operations, and improving overall efficiency.
DACO has contributed to the airport's success by continuously upgrading its facilities, introducing advanced technologies, and improving passenger amenities. They have successfully attracted new airlines, expanded flight routes, and increased passenger traffic. Additionally, DACO maintains safety and security standards, which is crucial given the airport's role as a major entry point for both international and domestic travellers.
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Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport is Saudi Arabia's busiest airport
The airport features two parallel runways, each measuring around 4,000 metres (13,123 feet) in length, capable of accommodating large aircraft. It has multiple terminals, including the North Terminal for international flights, the South Terminal for domestic flights, and a Hajj Terminal used during the Hajj pilgrimage season. The Hajj Terminal can accommodate 80,000 travellers at any given time and is known for its distinctive tent-like roof structure.
The airport offers a wide range of facilities and services for travellers, including shopping areas, restaurants, currency exchange, car rental, and duty-free shops. It also provides lounges for premium passengers. The new Terminal 1, inaugurated in 2019, is the fourth-largest passenger terminal in the world, serving over thirty million passengers annually. It features a central garden, a large aquarium, a mosque, and a transport centre connecting the terminal to the parking area and the Haramain High-Speed Railway.
The airport is named after Saudi Arabia's founder, King Abdulaziz Al Saud, and shares its base with the Royal Saudi Air Force. It serves as a major hub for both domestic and international flights, with numerous airlines operating from this airport, connecting Jeddah to destinations worldwide. The airport has undergone significant expansion and modernisation projects to increase its capacity and handle the growing number of passengers.
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The country has 29 commercial airports, including 13 international and 14 domestic
Saudi Arabia has a highly developed air transportation system, with a total of 29 commercial airports across the kingdom, including 13 international airports, 2 regional airports, and 14 domestic airports. These airports play a crucial role in the country's economy and tourism, especially with the millions of pilgrims visiting the holy cities of Mecca and Medina each year.
The Kingdom has invested significantly in expanding and modernizing its airports, with projects like the Neom Bay Airport, part of a new mega-city development. The busiest airport in Saudi Arabia is the King Abdulaziz International Airport, which serves as the main gateway for pilgrims travelling to Mecca. This airport was inaugurated in 1981 and has since undergone several expansions to accommodate the growing number of passengers. It is located about 19 kilometres north of Jeddah and has five terminals, including a special Hajj terminal with a tent-like roof structure.
The second busiest airport is the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which is one of the largest airports in Saudi Arabia, covering an area of 776 square kilometres. It has five terminals and a royal terminal for VIP travellers, as well as its own Royal Mosque. The airport is managed by the Riyadh Airports Company, which also operates the Cargo Village, a logistical platform covering 275,000 square metres.
Another notable airport is the Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Airport, located near Medina. This airport is considered significant as it welcomes devoted pilgrims from across the world to the "Enlightened City." It has 12 terminals and has been in operation since 1950.
The Dammam Airports Company (DACO) manages projects at the King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, the biggest airport in the world. DACO has completed projects such as the development of Cargo Villages and the expansion of the passport control area.
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Frequently asked questions
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) is responsible for supervising international airports in Saudi Arabia. However, some airports are managed by specific companies, such as the Riyadh Airports Company, which controls the Riyadh King Khalid Airport, and the Dammam Airports Company (DACO), which has completed projects at the King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.
There are 29 commercial airports in Saudi Arabia, including 13 international airports, 2 regional airports, and 14 domestic airports. Saudi Arabia's busiest airport is the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, which has 5 terminals and serves as the main gateway for pilgrims travelling to Mecca.
Some of the major airports in Saudi Arabia include:
- King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah
- King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, which is the largest airport in the world
- King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which has 5 terminals and one of the largest control towers
- Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Medina, which has 12 terminals
- Taif International Airport, which operates international and domestic flights to 12 destinations
Airports in Saudi Arabia experience heavy traffic during the Hajj season, especially at the King Abdulaziz International Airport, which has a special Hajj Terminal. The Hajj Terminal is only open for six weeks during the high season but still handles a large number of pilgrims travelling to Mecca.
