RIYADH – Saudi Arabia’s airports achieved record growth of 9.6 percent by hosting 140.9 million passengers, including 76 million international passengers and 65 million domestic passengers in 2025.
According to 2025 statistics, Saudi air traffic exceeded regional rates, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s fastest growing and most advanced aviation markets. This was primarily driven by growth in tourism, global events and increased international air connectivity.
A growth rate of 9.6% is more than just a number. It was the result of capacity expansion and air connectivity. This increase coincided with a notable 8.3% increase in the number of flights, bringing the total number of flights to around 980,400, underscoring the sustainability of the airline industry’s recovery.
This growth is clearly reflected in major airports, with Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport accounting for 38 percent of total passenger traffic and continuing to lead the industry with an average of 146,000 passengers per day and a 107 percent higher utilization rate.
Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport also recorded a strong performance, with an average of 112,000 passengers per day, accounting for 29 percent of the total number of passengers, while Madinat and Dammam airports recorded historic surges with occupancy rates of over 137 percent and 112 percent, respectively.
At the international level, Saudi Arabia has managed to secure air connectivity to 176 international destinations with more than 52 high-frequency flights per year, making the Kingdom easily accessible from various continents.
Saudi Arabia also strengthened its dominance on the world’s busiest air routes, with the Cairo-Jeddah route ranked second in the world with 5.8 million seats and the Dubai-Riyadh route ranked seventh with 4.5 million seats.
In parallel with the increase in passenger traffic, the air cargo sector showed stability, with cargo volume reaching 1.18 million tons, with the three major airports of Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam accounting for the largest share, reflecting the aviation sector’s role as a major driver of economic growth and logistics services.
These statistics showed that 2025 was the year in which Saudi Arabia “soared to the top”, strengthening its central role in international air navigation and making its airports the gateway to the future.
© Copyright 2026 Saudi Official Gazette. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
