Riyadh’s King Salman International Airport Set for 2030 Opening

Plans are advancing for Riyadh’s King Salman International Airport (KSIA), which aims to be one of the largest airports globally upon its opening in 2030. Spanning approximately 57 square kilometers, KSIA is expected to accommodate up to 100 million passengers, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to diversify the economy and position the country as a global travel and logistics hub.

In August, the King Salman International Airport Development Company appointed Foster + Partners, Jacobs, Mace, and Saudi company Nera to design and construct the airport, which will feature six parallel runways and multiple new terminals. Future development phases will enhance capacity for passenger processing to 100 million and cargo handling to 2 million tons annually.

The airport will integrate various transport modes to improve regional connectivity, reflecting a modern approach to airport operations. Mammen Tharakan, VP of Investment & Partnership, emphasized the importance of linking passenger terminals with cargo areas to bolster logistics performance. “We aim to enhance the kingdom’s logistics performance index to be among the top 10 globally,” he stated.

Sustainability is a fundamental aspect of KSIA’s development, with plans for the airport to achieve LEED Platinum certification by incorporating renewable energy sources and advanced green initiatives in its design.

Tharakan also noted that KSIA will reflect Riyadh’s cultural identity while catering to Generation Alpha, projected to represent a significant portion of future air travelers. “We are focused on trends and interests of the younger generation, which constitutes 63% of the population in Saudi Arabia, ensuring we maintain a true Saudi identity in our design,” he added.

This ambitious project is expected to contribute approximately 27 billion Saudi riyals ($7.19 billion) annually to the non-oil GDP and create 103,000 direct and indirect jobs, further supporting Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification efforts. With these developments, KSIA is set to play a vital role in transforming the region’s aviation landscape.

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