Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport Surges Ahead with Record Growth and New Routes

King Khalid International Airport (RUH), operated by Riyadh Airports Company, is rapidly strengthening its position as a key global aviation hub. Serving more than 50 international and domestic carriers with connections to over 100 destinations, RUH continues to play a pivotal role in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to transform the Kingdom into a leading global travel and logistics center.

In 2024, RUH handled a record-breaking 37 million passengers, marking double-digit year-on-year growth and contributing significantly to the Kingdom’s overall 15% increase in passenger traffic. On August 1, the airport recorded its busiest day to date, welcoming more than 130,000 travelers. RUH also added 15 new airlines to its roster last year, making it Saudi Arabia’s second busiest airport.

Recent air service expansions have further elevated the airport’s international profile. Virgin Atlantic launched daily service from London Heathrow in its first-ever foray into the Saudi market. Air France began flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle in May, while Cathay Pacific increased frequencies from Hong Kong to four flights per week. AirAsia’s parent company, Capital A, announced plans to launch a route from Kuala Lumpur, identifying Saudi Arabia as a priority market.

Low-cost carrier flyadeal introduced its first South Asia services from RUH to Karachi earlier this year, broadening access to key expatriate markets. Additionally, RUH made history as the first airport in the Middle East to earn the Welcome Chinese certification, reinforcing its appeal to Chinese travelers. The airport now supports direct flights to major Chinese cities including Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Shanghai.

Looking ahead, RUH is set to become the launchpad for Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s second flag carrier, which will begin operations by the end of 2025. This is expected to significantly boost RUH’s network and global reach.

Riyadh Airports Company has identified several high-potential unserved and underserved routes. Unserved markets include major global hubs such as Singapore Changi (SIN), Dallas Fort Worth (DFW), Berlin Brandenburg (BER), and Madrid (MAD), as well as key regional connections like Nairobi (NBO), Chennai (MAA), and Budapest (BUD). Underserved routes include Manila (MNL) and Jakarta (CGK), both of which offer opportunities for additional capacity.

With its ambitious growth trajectory, strong route development pipeline, and strategic alignment with Vision 2030, King Khalid International Airport is poised to become one of the leading gateways in the Middle East, offering unmatched access to and from Saudi Arabia’s capital.

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