Our regular feature, brought to you in association with Duty Free Global from Ireland, celebrates memorable scenes, moments, launches and campaigns related to the global aviation and travel retail sphere.
SAUDI ARABIA. Today’s image selection is provided by AECOM, highlighting design visuals that capture the scale and ambition of King Salman International Airport in Riyadh, one of the Middle East’s most significant aviation developments.
In a social media post, Khaled AlOjyan, Project Manager of one of the Kingdom’s largest urban design and civil infrastructure consultancies, described this project as a transformative aviation hub, set to become one of the world’s largest airports, covering an area of approximately 57sq km.
Located on the current site of King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh’s under-development new mega-gateway integrates Saudi identity with smart design, advanced infrastructure and bold ambition.
With its masterplan unveiled in 2022 and completed in November 2025, the airport is designed as a future-ready hub, featuring six parallel runways, nine passenger terminals, integrated residential communities, retail and entertainment destinations, and dedicated logistics and cargo facilities.
The airport targets capacity for 120 million passengers annually by 2030 and 185 million by 2050, with cargo-handling capabilities of up to 3.5 million tonnes. It also aims to generate more than 100,000 jobs, further establishing Riyadh as a global centre for logistics, tourism and business.
The project aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and contributes to broader objectives in mobility, sustainability and national development. ✈
