SAUDI ARABIA. King Khalid International Airport (KKIA), operated by Riyadh Airports Company (RAC), has been named International Airport of the Year – Saudi Arabia at the TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2025 – Middle East. The recognition by Travel Daily Media underscores RAC’s growing role in regional and global aviation.
At the 2025 Global Travel Retail Awards in Cannes, RAC won Best Airport Retail Initiative (Campaign) for the ‘Duty Free Transformation’ project – a qualitative leap in the shopping experience at KKIA. The project supports the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by enhancing the quality of tourism services across the Kingdom.
RAC also secured a win in the Retail Interior Saudi Arabia category at the Saudi Arabia Property Awards 2025-2026 held in Dubai, recognising RAC’s efforts in the development of the duty-free market.
The company noted, “Under the inspiring leadership of Chief Commercial Officer Abdulaziz Al-Asaker, our journey at Riyadh Airports Company turned strategy into success – earning international recognition for our collective achievements.
“Each award tells a story of dedication, collaboration and belief in our shared vision to redefine the airport experience and help bring Saudi Vision 2030 to life.”
As the Kingdom’s second-largest airport, KKIA continues to expand its role as a key link between East and West, supported by ongoing development plans, international collaborations and an emphasis on improving the passenger experience.
The airport welcomed 29.8 million passengers from January to September 2025, reflecting the airport’s sustained recovery and strong upward trajectory. International traffic rose +16.9% in 2024 compared with the previous year.
KKIA now connects to 95 international destinations and handles more than 217,000 flights annually through partnerships with over 60 international and domestic airlines. Its busiest day on record remains 13 June 2024, when it served 124,000 passengers across 901 flights.
This continued growth reflects RAC’s clear, forward-looking strategy. The company is helping transform the Kingdom into a global logistics hub by boosting long-term connectivity and diversifying routes.
From January to September, KKIA added six new passenger destinations – Entebbe, Larnaca, Venice, Kraków, Moscow and Sialkot – alongside three new cargo routes to Zhengzhou, East Midlands and Macau.
The airport also welcomed new airlines including Virgin Atlantic, US-Bangla Airlines and Air France, while FedEx launched operations in September. AirAsia X is set to join the network soon.
RAC has also advanced cargo development, supporting trade flows and strengthening Riyadh’s role in the global supply chain. The company participated in Routes World 2025 in Hong Kong, building partnerships and investment opportunities while sharing expertise to drive progress in the aviation sector.
Furthermore, RAC’s collaboration with global carriers reflects its consultative and partner-first approach. This ensures smooth integration of ground services, staff operations and passenger handling.
Passenger experience remains a key focus for RAC, which is investing in terminal upgrades, new international routes and digital services to improve efficiency and comfort throughout the airport.
Key developments include improved transfer services for connecting passengers, fast-track processing and culturally tailored offerings. KKIA is also the first in Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region to receive the Welcome Chinese Certification. In September, RAC inaugurated the Saudi Crafts store in Terminal 3 to empower handicrafts and support local heritage.
KKIA is evolving into a next-generation airport with the introduction of experience-led services. RAC takes a proactive, collaborative approach, working with airlines to improve commercial performance, expand networks and support shared goals.
RAC has diversified its airline base and commercial model by focusing on building strong relationships with foreign carriers, especially from Asia. According to the company, this approach has proved efficient and resulted in a +10% passenger increase from January to May 2025 versus the same period in 2024. ✈
This Partner Content first appeared in The Moodie Davitt Magazine, November 2025 on page 36-37. Click here for access.
