Saudi Arabia’s airports record surge in passenger numbers

King Abdulaziz International Airport saw a 13% growth in traffic with 16 percent more passengers—24 million—and 148,000 more flights | Image Credit:

Amidst the rising domestic and international travel demand, Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation sector has witnessed a 17% yearly spike to 62 million passengers in the first half of 2024.

According to news reports, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) stated that the aviation sector in Saudi Arabia has recorded a 12% increase in flights, from 399,000 flights in the first half of 2023 to around 446,000 flights.

Furthermore, the volume of air cargo passing through the airports in the Kingdom has also increased by 41% to 606,000 tonnes in the same period, which is in line with the Kingdom’s aviation objectives.

The objectives include tripling the number of passengers carried annually to 330 million, connecting its 29 airports to over 250 destinations, and growing the capacity of air freight to 4.5 million tonnes of cargo annually by 2030.

Passenger Inflow Trends in Saudi Arabia

King Khalid International Airport has spearheaded the growth trend, boasting 17.7 million passengers—a 21 percent year-over-year rise—and 132,000 flights, a 15 percent increase from 2023.

Likewise, King Abdulaziz International Airport saw a 13% growth in traffic with 16 percent more passengers—24 million—and 148,000 more flights. While, close to 6 million people travelled through King Fahad International Airport in the first half of the year, representing a 15% annual growth rate.

In the first of 2024, 5.6 million people passed through the Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport, a 20 percent increase over the same period in 2023. In the meantime, 8.8 million passengers travelled through the other airports in the Kingdom in the first half of 2023, a 16% increase over the same period in 2023.

Aviation Goals

During the 13th meeting of the Steering Committee to Activate the National Strategy for the Aviation Sector, GACA covered current developments in plan execution and highlighted the sector’s historic first half of 2024 milestones and record-breaking accomplishments.

In 2024 alone, GACA has launched a number of development initiatives. Among these are the opening of new facilities at Al-Ahsa International Airport and the expansion of Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport. Taif International Airport also opened a new international departure terminal.

Aviation 360