Saudi Arabia has begun construction on what is set to become the world’s largest airport. The new hub, King Salman International Airport, is scheduled to open in 2030 and will cover an area equal to 14,000 football fields.
The massive project is being built around the existing King Khalid Airport in Riyadh. First announced in November 2022, the site will span 57 square kilometers (22 square miles). Of that, 12 square kilometers (4.6 square miles) will be devoted to shopping malls, underscoring the government’s plan to make the facility a global travel and commercial hub.
Capacity and Growth
King Khalid Airport currently operates with two parallel runways. The expansion will increase that number to six. Passenger traffic is projected to rise sharply, reaching 120 million annually by 2030 and 185 million by 2050.
Riyadh will be home to an aerotropolis, King Salman International Airport, that might be the largest in the world once construction and expansion plans are done. pic.twitter.com/OCmvomj5Hk
— CIC Saudi Arabia (@CICSaudi) June 8, 2024
Aircraft movements are also expected to grow significantly, climbing from 211,000 today to more than one million take-offs and landings per year once the new airport is fully operational. The estimated cost of the project is $30 billion.
Key milestones
In January 2025, Saudi authorities completed the reconstruction of the existing terminal at King Khalid Airport, a milestone that brought the wider project one step closer to completion.
The upgraded terminal introduced expanded facilities, including dozens of new check-in and passport counters, self-service kiosks, automated gates, and enlarged boarding areas to improve passenger flow.
International design and partnerships
The airport’s design was created by Foster + Partners, a British architecture firm renowned for high-profile projects such as Wembley Stadium, the Battersea Roof Gardens, and the National Memorial to Queen Elizabeth II.
In May, US-based companies Bechtel and Parsons were awarded major contracts to oversee elements of the expansion, according to Engineering News-Record. Their involvement highlights the scale of international collaboration driving the project.
Modern travel experience
Saudi officials say the airport will feature multiple landing areas, landscaped indoor and outdoor spaces, and expansive windows for clear views of the runways.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the design emphasizes a “seamless customer journey,” combining efficiency with comfort for travelers passing through one of the busiest aviation hubs of the future.
Part of Vision 2030
The King Salman International Airport is a centerpiece of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the kingdom’s sweeping initiative to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues.
Alongside the airport, the government is developing major projects such as Qiddiya, an entertainment city outside Riyadh that is expected to include a Six Flags theme park and several record-breaking attractions.
By 2030, Saudi leaders aim to transform Riyadh into a global crossroads for travel, commerce, and leisure, with King Salman International Airport serving as the flagship project.
