Expanding For Broader Horizons: JEDCO Targets International Air Service Expansion

Our Route Opportunities feature explores the latest unserved and underserved routes promoted through Routes 360, providing supporting information for airline network planners to consider and capitalize on.

Jeddah Airports (JEDCO) is accelerating its global connectivity strategy with a target of adding over 150 new destinations by 2030. This initiative aims to provide passengers with enhanced travel options, expand international connectivity, broaden the company’s operational horizons, and reinforce King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) as a leading global aviation hub. In parallel, JEDCO is committed to strengthening Saudi Arabia’s role in the global aviation network while offering airline partners strategic insights and opportunities to grow their networks.

2024 marked a significant milestone for JEDCO, as passenger traffic exceeded 49.1M, representing a 14% year-over-year increase and establishing a new record for Saudi airports. Flight movements also increased by 11%, underscoring the company’s operational efficiency and the strong support of its stakeholders.

Building on this momentum, KAIA handled 25.5M passengers in the first half of 2025, reflecting a 6.8% year-on-year increase, and recorded its highest single-day passenger traffic, welcoming over 178,000 passengers in a single day.

Recent route additions and network expansions at KAIA, fully aligned with Vision 2030 and the National Aviation Strategy, further demonstrate JEDCO’s ongoing commitment to enhancing global connectivity and delivering world-class aviation experiences.

• Hainan Airlines launched service to Haikou, marking their first connection between Saudi Arabia and China.
• British Airways introduced six weekly flights to London in November 2024.
• ITA Airways began a three-weekly Rome service in August 2024.
• Eurowings added two-weekly flights each to Berlin and Cologne in November 2024.
• Transavia France followed in December 2024 with two-weekly flights to Paris Orly and Lyon.
• Saudia (SV) expanded with 11 seasonal Mediterranean destinations in summer 2025.
• Flyadeal, a subsidiary of Saudia, has strengthened its international operations by adding six seasonal destinations and launching its first regular South Asia flights to Pakistan in early 2025.

While these significant developments have propelled KAIA’s impressive growth, it is equally important to identify areas of untapped potential. The following unserved and underserved routes, as highlighted in the Routes 360 profile, represent key opportunities for strategic network expansion:

Unserved:

• Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
• Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN)
• Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX)
• Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
• Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
• Dublin Airport (DUB)
• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Düsseldorf Airport (DUS)
• Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
• Incheon International Airport (ICN)
• Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW)
• Narita International Airport (NRT)
• Copenhagen Airports (CPH)
• Moscow Domodedovo Airport (DME)
• Edinburgh Airport (EDI)

Underserved:

• Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
• Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
• Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL)
• Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK)
• Barcelona – El Prat Airport (BCN)
• Madrid – Barajas Airport (MAD)
• Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)

Through strategic investments, advanced technologies, sustainability initiatives, and expanded connectivity, KAIA is positioned to reinforce Saudi Arabia’s leadership in aviation while contributing to economic diversification and tourism growth in line with Vision 2030.

Discover the latest available routes and identify new business opportunities.

Routes 360 can support your organization in identifying new route opportunities, building brand presence, and accessing the most up-to-date industry information. Join the largest online community of network planners. Request a demo today.