Saudi Arabia has begun construction on what is expected to be the world's largest airport. King Salman International Airport is expected to open in 2030 and will be the size of 14,000 football fields combined.
This giant airport will be built around the existing King Khalid Airport in the capital Riyadh. Its expansion was first announced in November 2022, and when completed, the airport will stretch to 57 square kilometers, of which 12 square kilometers will be reserved for shopping malls.
Currently, King Khalid Airport has two parallel runways for aircraft to land and take off. With the expansion, the number of runways will increase to six, and the number of passengers will reach 120 million by 2030, while by 2050 it is expected to reach 185 million.
With the opening of this airport, the number of aircraft take-offs and landings in Saudi Arabia will increase from 211,000 to over one million per year. The cost of the project is estimated at $30 billion.
In January 2025, the reconstruction of the existing terminal at King Khalid Airport was completed, bringing the major project one step closer to completion.
The new terminal has 38 check-in counters, 10 self-service kiosks, 26 passport control counters, 10 automated gates, 24 boarding gates, 40 passport counters in the arrivals area and 11 self-service express exit gates.
The airport design was created by British architecture firm Foster + Partners, also known for projects such as Battersea Roof Gardens, Wembley Stadium, and the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II.
In May of this year, two American companies – Bechtel and Parsons – received key contracts for the expansion, according to Engineering News-Record (ENR).
The airport will have multiple landing areas, indoor and outdoor areas with lots of greenery, and large windows for viewing planes. According to the Saudi Press Agency, its design is specifically designed to provide a “seamless customer journey.”
The project is part of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious “Vision 2030” plan to transform the country. Included in that vision is Qiddiya, an entertainment city set to open later this year that will include a Six Flags theme park, a giant underwater waterfall, four world-record-breaking attractions – including the world’s tallest waterfall, the world’s longest roller coaster, and the world’s largest roller coaster.
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