SAUDI ARABIA. Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport and Riyadh King Khalid International Airport each posted record passenger traffic in 2024, reflecting the continuing strong performance of aviation in Saudi Arabia.
King Abdulaziz International Airport served 49.12 million passengers, a leap of +14% year-on-year and a new annual high for any airport in the Kingdom.
Jeddah Airports Company hailed the figure as a “historic milestone”, noting that the busiest day was 31 December when it hosted 174.600 travellers. With 4.7 million passengers, December was also the busiest month of the year.
In a statement, Jeddah Airports CEO Eng. Mazen Johar attributed the record-breaking performance to the airport’s accelerated operational growth, enabled by the support of the Kingdom’s leadership and oversight of the Ministry of Transport and Logistics. He saluted infrastructure development, emphasising the company’s vision to position the airport as a global hub.
King Khalid International Airport, managed and operated by Riyadh Airports Company, achieved passenger traffic growth of +16.6% year-on-year to reach 37.2 million.
In a statement the company said its performance was underpinned by the addition of 15 airline partners, the opening of 29 retail & F&B outlets – ranging from pharmacies and relaxation lounges to cafés and restaurants – plus the inauguration of five additional duty-free spaces.
Its record-breaking day was 1 August when over 131,000 passengers used the terminals.
Riyadh Airports Company CEO Ayman Abdulaziz AboAbah said the growth highlighted the airport’s “remarkable trajectory”.
He underscored the airport’s role in supporting the strategic development of Riyadh and the Kingdom in aviation terms.
As reported separately, Riyadh Airports Company Chief Commercial Officer Abdulaziz Al-Asaker has been selected among the most influential Arab Chief Commercial Officers for 2024 by Arabian World Magazine.
The National Tourism Strategy of Saudi Arabia aims to attract 150 million visitors by 2030 and increase the tourism sector’s contribution to the nation’s gross domestic product from 6% to 10%. ✈
Note: The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie will be on location in Saudi Arabia later this month. Look out for his series of reports soon after.
