Dhaka: Saudi Arabia is moving forward with a major expansion of King Salman International Airport (KSIA) in Riyadh, including the construction of a new passenger terminal designed to accommodate 40 million travelers annually.

Work on the terminal is set to begin in 2024, with operations planned for 2029 as part of the Kingdom's strategy to establish Riyadh as a global aviation hub.

In an interview with Al Eqtisadiah, KSIA’s acting CEO Marco Mejia confirmed that the new terminal is a key element of Riyadh’s Vision 2030 plan to replace King Khalid International Airport and elevate the city’s role in business, tourism, and logistics.

The expansion will also include new aircraft hangars and critical airside infrastructure, with construction of these facilities expected to start in 2026.

The development of KSIA is central to Saudi Arabia's broader efforts to diversify its economy and strengthen its aviation sector.

The airport’s long-term masterplan includes six runways, with capacity to handle 120 million passengers by 2030 and 185 million by 2050.

Riyadh Air, the Kingdom's new national carrier, will be based at KSIA, further boosting the airport’s importance.

At a recent forum, KSIA signed memorandums of understanding with several national entities, including the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) and TASAMA, to support the development.

The forum highlighted the airport’s strategic role in Vision 2030, with plans for advanced facilities and enhanced connectivity, poised to support rising international and regional demand.

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