Introduction: We present highlights of Riyadh Airport Company’s recent developments, which underline how King Khalid International Airport is building a growing reputation for quality services.
Among recent notable achievements at key Saudi gateway King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh Airports announced the reopening and redevelopment of Terminal 2. This marks a milestone in the airport’s transformation journey and a boost to passenger capacity.
The extensive modernisation works were carried out while preserving the terminal’s original identity inspired by Salmani architecture, ensuring that its renewed look remains rooted in Riyadh’s cultural heritage.
Terminals 1 and 2 combined can now accommodate up to 14 million passengers a year, further strengthening Riyadh’s position as a rapidly growing global aviation hub.
The terminal was officially reopened by His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Riyadh, underscoring the strategic importance of this redevelopment to the region’s aviation future.
Crucially, the reopening introduces a refreshed, passenger-centric environment designed to deliver comfort, efficiency and a world-class travel experience.
As the new home for international flights operated by Riyadh Air and Saudia Airlines, T2 has been thoughtfully redesigned to meet the needs of today’s travellers while supporting the airport’s broader vision for excellence.
The terminal now features a range of new technologies including self check-in kiosks, self bag-drop counters, next-generation security scanners and smart boarding gates – all implemented to streamline passenger processing and ensure a faster, smoother journey from curb to gate.
A key highlight of the renovation is the tailor-made mix of dining and shopping options, crafted to complement the terminal’s modern architecture and enhance the overall journey. The selection provides convenience, variety and a sense of place – blending global favourites with celebrated Saudi brands.
Highlights include Caffè Nero and its warm Italian coffeehouse atmosphere; Eric Kayser with its artisanal French breads and viennoiseries; Urth Café, a beloved Saudi brand, with its signature organic coffees, vibrant salads and wholesome meals; and Costa Coffee with globally recognised espresso blends and speciality beverages.
Enhanced shopping options include Relay as a one-stop shop for books, magazines, travel essentials and snacks, while Lemon Pharmacy offers a wide range of health, wellness and personal-care products. Additionally, Albilad Bank and Al Rajhi Bank ensure passengers benefit from seamless, reliable banking and foreign-exchange services throughout their journey.
Terminal Transition Project
King Khalid International Airport has also implemented the ‘Terminal Transition Project’. This step represents the biggest operational transformation since the airport’s establishment, facilitating the movement of domestic and international transit passengers and optimising the use of the airport’s facilities and infrastructure.
Airline carriers were reallocated across terminals 1 and 2 to serve international flights operated by national carriers, and at Terminal 4 for domestic flights.
The plan also allocated Terminal 5 for international flights operated by foreign carriers, and merged Terminal 3 operations with Terminal 4 to serve domestic flights operated by foreign carriers, reducing waiting times through the connection corridor between terminals.
This step has increased the terminals’ capacity by +33% to 56 million passengers by the end of 2026, along with raising the capacity for transit and connecting passengers to 7.5 million passengers annually.
Riyadh Airports ensured a smooth transition by allocating more than 650 guides to direct passengers while airport management provided a package of facilities to support passenger movement.
This transformation comes as an extension of the comprehensive development plan and in support of the aviation sector’s objectives and Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to establish the Kingdom as a global hub connecting the East and West. ✈
This Partner Content was first published in The Moodie Davitt Magazine, May 2026. Click here for access.
