From The Floor: King Salman International Airport Plans Progress

Plans are progressing to develop Riyadh’s King Salman International Airport (KSIA), which will be among the biggest in the world when it opens in 2030.

The airport will cover approximately 57 sq km and accommodate up to 100 million passengers. This ambitious project aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and establish the country as a global travel and logistics hub.

In August, Foster + Partners, Jacobs, Mace, and Saudi company Nera were appointed by King Salman International Airport Development Company to design and build the airport, which will feature six parallel runways and multiple new terminals.

Future development phases will increase capacity to up to 100 million passengers in 2030, as well as having the capacity to process 2 million tons of cargo.

The airport will integrate various modes of transport to enhance regional connectivity, reflecting a shift in how airports function as transportation hubs, Mammen Tharakan, VP investment & partnership, told Aviation Week. “The connectivity from passenger terminals to cargo areas is also being prioritized to reflect the importance of belly cargo in our operations and to improve the kingdom’s logistic performance index to be among the top 10 globally.”

Sustainability is at the core of the KSIA development. The airport is expected to achieve LEED Platinum certification, incorporating renewable energy sources and advanced green initiatives in its design.

In addition to its operational features, Tharakan said that KSIA will reflect the cultural identity of Riyadh and cater to the interests of Generation Alpha, who are projected to make up the majority of future air travellers. “We are keenly focused on the trends and interests of the younger generation, which represents 63% of the population in Saudi Arabia, ensuring that we retain a truly Saudi identity in our design,” Tharakan added.

This ambitious development is projected to contribute approximately 27 billion Saudi riyals ($7.19 billion) annually to non-oil GDP and create 103,000 direct and indirect jobs, further supporting Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification efforts.