Prime Highlights:
- Construction of the third runway is a key step in the airport’s expansion, improving efficiency and supporting long-term growth.
- The project will enhance Riyadh’s international flight network and strengthen its position as a global aviation hub.
Key Facts:
- The new 4,200-meter runway will include multiple taxiways and increase aircraft movements from 65 to 85 per hour.
- Once completed, the airport will have six runways, handle up to 100 million passengers, and manage over two million tons of cargo annually by 2030.
Background:
King Salman International Airport, run by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has begun building its third runway as part of its expansion.
The runway is designed to match Riyadh’s wind patterns for safe flights. Right now, the airport handles 65 aircraft movements per hour. With the new runway, this will rise to 85 per hour, making operations more efficient and supporting growth. The 4,200-meter runway will include several taxiways to allow planes to move smoothly.
Marco Mejia, Acting CEO of King Salman International Airport, said the third runway is an important part of the airport’s expansion. He added that it will help the airport grow, improve long-distance flights, and make operations more efficient.
The project is being carried out with FCC Construction and Al Mabani Company. Once completed, the airport, built on the site of King Khalid International Airport, will have three new terminals in addition to the existing ones. It will also include residential, entertainment, and logistical facilities. The airport will have six runways, cover 57 square kilometers, and handle up to 100 million passengers and more than two million tons of cargo each year by 2030.
Announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the project is a major national initiative supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. It will make Riyadh a global aviation hub and improve its international flight connections while supporting the growth of the country’s air transport sector.
