Saudi Arabia's New Airport Aims to Be World’s Largest by 2030

Saudi Arabia has begun construction on King Salman International Airport, which is set to become the largest airport in the world upon its completion in 2030. With the capacity to handle up to 120 million passengers annually, this ambitious project is positioned to be a global hub for tourism and international travel, aligning with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiative.

Located in Riyadh, the airport will cover over 57 square kilometers and include six major runways. Of this total, 12 square kilometers will be dedicated to commercial spaces like restaurants, cafes, and relaxation zones. According to the Saudi Press Agency, the goal is to combine operational efficiency, technological innovation, and customer-centric services. Foster + Partners, a renowned British architectural firm, is entrusted with the design.

Currently, the world’s largest airport by area is King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, spanning 780 square kilometers. However, King Fahd primarily serves the Gulf region, while King Salman International Airport is set to become a global hub. In terms of passenger capacity, the new Riyadh airport will surpass King Fahd’s capacity and rival major hubs like Dubai International Airport.

According to the Airports Council International (ACI), the most trafficked airports in 2022 were all in the United States, led by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which handled over 93 million passengers. Other major US airports, such as Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, and Chicago O'Hare, also saw substantial traffic. Dubai International Airport ranked among the busiest in the Middle East.