Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation industry entered 2026 on a high-growth trajectory after 2025 saw record passenger traffic of more than 140 million—a 9% increase from the previous year, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) announced Jan. 27.
GACA President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej highlighted Saudi Arabia’s rising global connectivity, with international destinations now at 176 and three of the world’s busiest air routes continuing to operate through Saudi hubs.
King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah remained the nation’s busiest, handling 38% of all passengers—an average of 146,000 travelers per day—surpassing its designed capacity by 107%.
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh served 29% of passengers at 112,000 daily, while Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam also reported strong utilization rates of 137% and 112%, respectively.
Al-Duailej also emphasized the country’s commitment to fostering a competitive aviation environment and attracting international investment. The government approved new national carriers, including Riyadh Air and the Air Arabia Alliance, while licensing major global companies such as FedEx and Swissport. The private aviation sector also saw significant expansion.
GACA also outlined plans for 2026, saying it intends to empower the private sector in airport development, boost overall capacity and launch more than 30 new domestic and international routes. Special attention will be given to operational readiness and deploying national workforce talent to support pilgrims during Hajj and Umrah.
Saudi Arabia will also host the 4th Future Aviation Forum in Riyadh this April. Endorsed by the International Civil Aviation Organization, the forum will serve as a global platform to shape the future of aviation in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
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