King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has continued to strengthen its position as one of the world’s leading aviation hubs, achieving new record-breaking accomplishments that reinforce its presence in international airport rankings. These results affirm the success of its operational and developmental strategies, which have made it a benchmark model in the civil aviation sector both regionally and globally.
In the 2025 Skytrax global ranking, the airport advanced 11 ranks, reaching 24th rank among 580 airports worldwide, marking the most significant leap among all Saudi airports. This progress reflects tangible improvements in service quality, infrastructure, and operational performance over the past year.
This excellence extended beyond rankings, as the airport received multiple international awards, most notably the Best Airport Staff in the Middle East 2025 award, in recognition of the professionalism and efficiency demonstrated by its team in serving passengers. Additionally, the airport ranked third globally in the category of Best New Airport Terminal for its modern design and smart technologies, and fourth globally among airports handling 30-40 million passengers annually, placing Riyadh’s airport among the world’s most prominent aviation centers.
Mr. Ayman bin Abdulaziz Aboabah, CEO of Riyadh Airports Company, affirmed that this major advancement reflects the airport’s ongoing efforts to enhance the travel experience and improve operational and logistical services. He noted that the achievement serves as a vote of confidence from travellers around the world and a clear indication that the airport is steadily progressing toward global leadership in service quality and operational excellence.
Aboabah also explained that the continuous support from His Excellency the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and His Excellency the President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation has directly contributed to these outstanding results by empowering operators, supporting the expansion and development of facilities, and raising the professional and technical standards of the workforce across the aviation sector.
He added that these accomplishments serve as a powerful motivation to continue advancing and innovating, especially with the anticipated growth in international passenger traffic in the coming years. He emphasised that the company is working toward building a comprehensive smart airport model, one that integrates technology throughout every stage of the travel journey, from check-in to baggage claim, ensuring an efficient, seamless, and future-ready passenger experience.
1) Record-Breaking Operational Figures
In 2025, King Khalid International Airport achieved the highest operational performance in its history. During July 2025, the airport handled approximately 3.9 million passengers travelling through 26,000 flights, an unprecedented milestone since its establishment. On July 31st 2025, the airport recorded a new all-time peak, serving 142,538 passengers in a single day, surpassing all previous records of 109,000 passengers in August 2023, 116,000 in February 2024, and 125,000 and 131,000 in July and August of the same year, respectively.
According to the operational report, this growth in passenger numbers reflects the increasing demand for travel to and from Riyadh, driven by the expansion of new international destinations, and the growth of both domestic and international airlines operating through the airport. It also highlights the continuous enhancements in both ground and air services, which have further elevated the travel experience.
2) Commitment to Punctuality
In terms of on-time performance, the airport continued to lead the global rankings, achieving a punctuality rate of 90.41% in June 2025, securing the top global position for the third time in the same year, following similar success in March and April. This rate is among the highest worldwide and reflects the efficiency of operational management and the airport’s exceptional readiness in handling heavy traffic and peak seasons.
Aboabah emphasised that these results were not achieved by coincidence, but are the outcome of ongoing investment in advanced technology infrastructure, as well as the development of air traffic control and management systems. These efforts ensure smooth flight operations, shorter waiting times, and an enhanced travel experience for both domestic and international passengers.
3) Expansion of Destinations and Services
Today, King Khalid International Airport serves 63 domestic and international airlines, connecting Riyadh with 121 destinations worldwide, the widest network in the Kingdom. The airport also set a new record in baggage handling during the 2025 summer season, thanks to upgraded smart tracking and delivery systems, which significantly reduced the rate of lost luggage to its lowest level in history.
In this context, the CEO explained that the airport is implementing a comprehensive plan to enhance the travel experience, which includes the introduction of advanced e-gates for self-service travel, the wider integration of artificial intelligence in ground service management and passenger flow analysis, in addition to upgrading security and safety systems in line with the highest international standards applied in leading global airports.
4) Investment in National Talent
Aboabah noted that these achievements were not solely the result of technological advancement, but also the outcome of strategic investment in qualified national talent. Riyadh Airports Company has implemented continuous training and development programs aimed at enhancing the technical and administrative skills of employees and improving their readiness to work with modern airport management technologies.
He added that the daily passenger volume has increased by around 8% compared to last year, reflecting ongoing improvements in operational efficiency and the seamless coordination among various entities operating within the airport, including customs, passport control, security authorities, and airlines.
5) Supporting the National Economy and Tourism
King Khalid International Airport plays a central role in strengthening the national economy and stimulating the tourism and trade sectors, serving as the main air gateway to Riyadh and a key logistics hub in the region. The airport contributes directly to achieving the Saudi Aviation Strategy, which aims to position the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a global hub for aviation and travel by 2030.
Thanks to the continuous growth in passenger traffic, the airport’s direct and indirect economic impact on the local economy has significantly increased through the creation of new job opportunities, and the stimulation of transportation, hospitality, retail, and logistics sectors. Moreover, the airport has become a major attraction for international airlines seeking to expand their presence in the Saudi market, further reinforcing Riyadh’s position as a leading global aviation center.
6) Future of Development and Innovation
Aboabah affirmed that King Khalid International Airport is steadily moving forward with ambitious development projects that include the expansion of existing terminals, modernisation of infrastructure, and the addition of new facilities to increase capacity in line with the expected growth in passenger numbers. The airport is also working on launching integrated smart management systems for operations and maintenance, ensuring the highest levels of efficiency and sustainability.
In addition, the airport is developing its internal transport and logistics network to enhance integration with public transportation projects in Riyadh, including future metro and bus connections, creating a fully interconnected and seamless travel experience for passengers.
Conclusion
Aboabah concluded by emphasising that King Khalid International Airport has become a symbol of modern advancement in the Saudi aviation industry and a model platform for smart travel experiences that combine comfort, innovation, and operational excellence.
He stated: “What we have achieved in recent years is not the end of the journey, but the beginning of a new era of global leadership. We will continue to work with our partners in both the public and private sectors to achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and make Riyadh one of the world’s leading aviation hubs.”
With these successive achievements, King Khalid International Airport continues to prove that it not only keeps pace with global progress but also helps shape it, reflecting the modern image of the Kingdom as a leading destination for air travel and hospitality.
Article received on Mail
