SAUDI ARABIA. King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) is on track for a record-breaking year, with passenger numbers and retail activity showcasing strong momentum.
KKIA is reaching operational highs this year. The airport set a daily record on 31 July, serving 142,538 passengers, while the month reached an all-time high of 3.9 million passengers and 26,000 flights. Overall, the airport’s passenger traffic for the first eight months increased by +8% compared with the same period in 2024, reaching 26.6 million.
Alongside rising traffic, KKIA has expanded services and retail options. Ten new outlets have opened this year, including six food & beverage locations – Costa Coffee, So Coffee, two Pret A Manger branches, Fix in Terminal 1 Departures and a Starbucks in Terminal 1 Arrivals.
Three new retail and service outlets – STC, Zain and Mobily – have launched in the Terminal 1 Metro Link area. These openings have contributed to an +8% growth in activity in the first half of 2025 compared with last year.
By August, duty-free sales had grown +45% year-on-year, with more than 1 million transactions in the month alone, making it the busiest month for retail in the airport’s history. In overall sales, KKIA has seen +14% year-to-date growth.
The airport also introduced its largest lounge yet. The Caterion Lounge in Terminal 4 spans over 2,500sq m, providing additional space and services for passengers.
The new lounge offers gourmet à la carte dining, elevating the passenger culinary experience. The luxury space also features a full suite of high-end amenities, including private zones, business facilities and a cinema.
According to Riyadh Airports Company (RAC), these developments align with the country’s broader transformation under Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy, reduce reliance on oil and elevate the Kingdom’s global profile.
Vision 2030 places a strong emphasis on fostering private sector growth through global partnerships and strategic investments in infrastructure and hospitality, including in key transport hubs such as KKIA.
Redefining airport dining
KKIA, together with its business partners, won four major accolades at the 2025 Airport FAB + Hospitality Conference & Awards in Barcelona (25-26 June).
These included the regional award in the Middle East and Africa: Opening of the Year for Infin’eat food court managed and operated by Lagerdère Group; Best Restaurant Design for Éric Kayser restaurant; and Best Food Hall for Food Garden by SSP. Chef Daniel Lewis from Lagardère Travel Retail was Highly Commended in the Airport Chef of the Year category.
For RAC, these awards are more than symbolic – they reflect a strategic realignment in how airports engage with travellers. RAC CEO Ayman A. Aboabah congratulated the winners and commended the efforts made with KKIA’s partners to enhance the airport’s F&B offer.
He added that the airport’s accolades at the FAB event represent “a shared commitment to enriching passenger experiences through diverse, high-standard culinary offerings”.
RAC Chief Commercial Officer Abdulaziz Al-Asaker commented, “At King Khalid International Airport, we are committed to shaping a world-class travel experience that matches the ambitions of our nation and the expectations of every passenger who passes through our gates.
“The record-breaking performance we have achieved this year is not just about numbers – it reflects the investments we have made in enhancing every aspect of the passenger journey. From opening new retail and dining experiences to unveiling the largest lounge in our history, each milestone demonstrates our leadership’s dedication to continuous innovation and growth.
“We see these achievements as foundations for the future, as we strive to position KKIA among the leading global airports, where excellence and traveller satisfaction go hand in hand.” ✈
This article first appeared in The Moodie Davitt Magazine, October 2025 on page 158. Click here for access.
