Saudi Arabia’s new Al-Jouf International Airport was inaugurated on Jan. 19, the Kingdom’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has announced.
Located near Sakakah, a city in northern Saudi Arabia, the airport has a capacity of 1.6 million passengers annually, more than nine times its previous capacity of 175,000 passengers per year.
Spanning over an area of 24,000 m2 (258,000 ft.2), the new terminal features two passenger boarding bridges, seven departure gates, and four arrival gates for international and domestic flights, in addition to 16 check-in counters, including two self-service options.
According to GACA, the project aligns with the Aviation Program under Saudi Arabia’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which seeks to develop air transport infrastructure and enhance service quality across the Kingdom.
The authority said the airport incorporates environmental sustainability measures designed to reduce energy consumption and improve operational efficiency, supporting Saudi Arabia’s broader goals for sustainable development.
Trial operations are scheduled to begin in February, following the completion of operational procedures and testing.
“The project represents a continuation of the development journey witnessed by the civil aviation sector, contributing to serving citizens, residents, and visitors, and supporting the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030,” Second Airports Cluster CEO Ali Misrahi said.
Al-Jouf International Airport recorded an increase in air traffic in 2025 compared to the previous year, with passenger numbers exceeding 720,000, representing an 18.5% year-on-year rise.
Data from aviation analytics firm OAG shows the airlines operating from Al-Jouf International Airport include Air Arabia, Flyadeal, Flydubai, and Saudi Arabian Airlines.
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