In 2025, Saudi Arabia’s airports experienced a significant surge in passenger traffic, reaching 140.9 million, a 9.6 percent rise from the previous year. This increase, as reported by national statistics, was driven by both international and domestic travelers. International passengers totaled 75.8 million, up 9.4 percent, while domestic travelers reached 65.1 million, reflecting a 9.8 percent growth. The rise in passenger numbers aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiative to position itself as a global hub for aviation and tourism by expanding airport infrastructure, increasing airline capacity, and enhancing connectivity.
Despite regional disruptions due to the Iran conflict, which led to airspace closures and flight cancellations in parts of the Middle East, Saudi airports maintained robust operations, handling over 12.1 million passengers during the period from February 18 to March 28. In 2025, the Kingdom managed approximately 178,600 domestic and 207,700 international passengers daily. The total number of flights, both domestic and international, reached 979,800, marking an 8.3 percent increase from 2024.
King Abdulaziz International Airport emerged as the busiest in the country, facilitating 53.5 million passengers, a 9 percent increase from the previous year. King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh followed with 40.8 million passengers, up 8.7 percent, and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam catered to 13.7 million passengers, witnessing a 7 percent rise. The aviation sector’s resilience was highlighted during a meeting in Riyadh, where GACA President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej praised the sector’s contingency planning and expanded capacity in navigating global challenges.
The year also saw a notable increase in the Kingdom’s aircraft fleet, which expanded by 33.8 percent to 483 aircraft, and air cargo volumes reached 1.18 million tonnes, with inbound cargo leading the numbers. Saudi Arabia’s international reach extended to 66 countries, a 1.5 percent increase from 2024, and the number of destinations served rose by 2.3 percent to 176. Meanwhile, Saudia led in airspace utilization, accounting for 25.5 percent of total flights, followed by flynas and flyadeal. The Kingdom ranked 18th on the Global Air Connectivity Index for 2025, a slight drop from the previous year.
