King Salman International Airport is an international airport under development that would serve Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. It would succeed the current King Khalid International Airport and would be built around it. The airport is positioned as a gateway to Riyadh and the world, and as a bridge connecting East and West to reinforce the Kingdom’s role as a global logistics hub.
Several clear numbers define the project’s scale and timeline. The airport covers an area of 57 km2 (22 sq mi). It wants to handle 100 million passengers per year by 2030, and 185 million passengers per year by 2050. It also wants to handle 3.5 million tonnes of cargo per year by 2050.
In design and planning, the airport is being designed by the British architectural firm Foster + Partners. It is also being designed with engineering consultancy Jacobs. The plan includes a single concourse area with a loop to connect other terminals, along with multiple entrances and exits.
What Will Be Inside the Mega-Hub?
The facilities list is ambitious. The airport includes six passenger terminals, an iconic terminal, a private aviation terminal, and six runways, along with other facilities and amenities. Another report also highlights construction activity commencing on a third runway, describing it as a milestone in an airfield expansion program.
Commercial space is also part of the master plan. It is planned to have a 4.2 sq.mi. area reserved for retail and office space. This helps explain why the project is described as more than a transport site, with a focus on aviation, business activity, and passenger services in one place.
Sustainability and technology are repeated themes in the public discussion. The airport is planned to use renewable energy and hopes to get a LEED Platinum Certification. A video overview also links the future passenger experience to cutting-edge technology, including AI and augmented reality, with an emphasis on a human-centred travel experience and partnership with Riyadh Air.
What is King Salman International Airport?
What passenger targets are planned for King Salman International Airport?
How much cargo does the airport aim to handle?
What are the planned terminals and runway features?
What sustainability goals are mentioned for the project?
