Construction work officially begins at King Salman International Airport in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia has officially kicked off the construction of
what will become the world's largest airport: King Salman International Airport
in Riyadh. Set to open in 2030, the new airport will span an impressive 57
square kilometers (22 square miles)—an area equivalent to 14,000 football
fields.
The expansion is being built around the existing King Khalid
International Airport, with plans to transform it into a global hub for travel
and commerce. First announced in November 2022, the project will feature
expansive facilities, including 12 square kilometers (4.6 square miles)
dedicated to shopping malls and retail spaces.
Boosting capacity and growth
Currently, King Khalid Airport operates with two parallel
runways. The expansion will bring this number up to six, significantly
increasing capacity. Passenger traffic is expected to soar, with annual
arrivals projected to reach 120 million by 2030, and 185 million by 2050.
Aircraft movements will also see a dramatic rise, growing from 211,000 to over
one million take-offs and landings annually once the airport is fully
operational. The total estimated cost of the project is $30 billion.
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Key milestones
In January 2025, Saudi authorities completed a major
milestone by reconstructing the existing terminal at King Khalid Airport. This
upgrade added new check-in counters, self-service kiosks, automated gates, and
larger boarding areas, ensuring better passenger flow and improving overall
airport efficiency.
International partnerships and design
The airport's design is being led by Foster + Partners, the
renowned British architecture firm behind landmarks like Wembley Stadium and
the Battersea Roof Gardens. The expansion is also being supported by major
international contractors, with US-based companies Bechtel and Parsons awarded
key contracts to oversee various elements of the project.
These collaborations underscore the global scale of the
airport’s development, blending expertise from across the world to bring this
visionary project to life.
A modern travel experience
Once completed, King Salman International Airport will boast
multiple landing areas, vast landscaped indoor and outdoor spaces, and
expansive windows offering clear views of the runways. Saudi officials
emphasize the design’s focus on a “seamless customer journey,” balancing
efficiency with comfort to enhance the travel experience for millions of future
visitors.
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A core part of Vision 2030
The King Salman International Airport is central to Saudi
Arabia’s Vision 2030, a bold initiative aimed at diversifying the kingdom's
economy and reducing dependence on oil revenues. This monumental project will
position Riyadh as a key global crossroads for travel, commerce, and leisure.
Alongside the airport, Saudi Arabia is developing other
major projects, including Qiddiya—an entertainment city near Riyadh that will
feature a Six Flags theme park and a host of groundbreaking attractions. By
2030, Saudi leaders envision transforming Riyadh into an international hub for
tourism and business, with King Salman International Airport standing as the
crown jewel of this ambitious transformation.
Source: greekreporter.com
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