Saudi Arabia has just unveiled plans to build what could become the world’s largest airport.
In this post:
King Salman International Airport coming to Riyadh
Saudi Arabian Crowne Prince Mohammed bin Salman has announced plans to significantly expand Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (RUH). The airport will eventually be renamed King Salman International Airport, and will be way bigger than the current airport.
Based on the plans that have been announced, the airport will stretch over 57 square kilometers (22 square miles), and will be able to accommodate 120 million travelers annually by 2030, and up to 185 million travelers annually by 2050. Furthermore, the airport is expected to see up to 3.5 million tons of cargo annually by 2050. The airport is also expected to feature an impressive six parallel runways.
Below you can find some renderings of the new airport. You’ll see some design elements that should look pretty familiar.
Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), will be building the expanded airport. All of this comes as Saudi Arabia prepares to launch RIA, a new Riyadh-based airline that’s expected to grow at a pace we’ve never seen before. Saudi Arabia has the goal of building its own version of Emirates, but in a quarter the amount of time.
The airline would be heavily reliant on international transit passengers, simply using Saudi Arabia as a transit point while traveling between two other countries. Building a new mega-airport is obviously part of this project.
My take on Riyadh’s huge new airport
There’s no denying that Saudi Arabia is investing an unheard of amount of money in tourism, between this airport, a new mega-airline, the Red Sea Development, and much more. Saudi Arabia has the money to invest, and at least for now seems committed to this. What that looks like a decade or two from now remains to be seen.
Bluntly speaking, the bigger issue is how the country can actually convince people that they want to travel to or through Saudi Arabia. At least among most western countries, Saudi Arabia doesn’t exactly have a great reputation, and travelers from many parts of the globe would be hesitant to travel there.
So while the country is willing to spend endless money on this, I see little focus on what will change that will make people want to spend their tourist dollars in Saudi Arabia.
This is a really long term project, and I’m curious to see for how long Saudi Arabia’s focus remains unchanged, and if/when the economic and political situation in the country changes to the point that this is no longer realistic.
This new expanded airport is supposed to be completed in just under 30 years. I mean, Abu Dhabi Airport still hasn’t opened its much more modest Midfield Terminal, which was supposed to open years ago. Everything points to the government of Abu Dhabi having simply given up on the project at this point. I can’t help but wonder if something similar might eventually happen in Saudi Arabia.
Bottom line
Saudi Arabia has unveiled plans to build a new mega-airport in Riyadh, which could eventually be the biggest airport in the world. The new King Salman International Airport would have six parallel runways, and would be able to handle 120 million passengers annually by 2030, and 185 million passengers annually by 2050. This airport would also be home to Saudi Arabia’s new mega-airline, which is expected to launch in the new future.
I’m curious to see how all of this unfolds…
What do you make of Saudi Arabia’s new mega-airport?
Saudis have great education. Most of the Saudis I work with have Masters degrees from Oxbridge or Ivy League universities. All on Government scholarships. And locally KAUST has an endowment larger than Harvard. I wish my Government put 1/2 as much into education.
I still don't want to go there to stoned to death.
Nice racism you have there. Maybe you deserve it?
Saudi is spending so much money, in such a short time period on such ludicrous projects because the regime realised they have no choice if they want to survive. Unlike many of their fellow gulf states, Saudi Arabia is significantly more reliant on oil revenues and that their own practices over the past decades have doomed their regime in the future. So ultimately I think this regime will spend significant amounts of its wealth fund...
Saudi is spending so much money, in such a short time period on such ludicrous projects because the regime realised they have no choice if they want to survive. Unlike many of their fellow gulf states, Saudi Arabia is significantly more reliant on oil revenues and that their own practices over the past decades have doomed their regime in the future. So ultimately I think this regime will spend significant amounts of its wealth fund on projects such as KSA only to realise that sheer money cannot fix everything.
, aboy his name is Frank talking about slaves...... i have seen it in Miami slaves in farms they paid them 10$ aday and in Laffayt, Louisiana black people live in boxes in streets.. so son do you know what is going on in your country and you see people living in the sidewalk in LA Seattle Houston NY... THANK GOD I DONT LIVE IN USA
I hope no racism and travalism especially on African people.
Another crazy plan by MBS..... Like all the rest, it will change a few times before it really gets started!
They need to finish the damn Riyadh Metro Project first..... Now 5 years LATE!!!!!
Alhamdulillah. In Shaa Allah. So many opportunity will come in saudi. Good luck. Some day i can get jo in airport. If airport Comapany hire me. Thanks.
"Some day i can get jo in airport."
....so did Larry Craig. Didn't work out too well.
What is so unusual about this? Saudi Arabia is a popular destination for many around the world and literally the Mecca for Muslims, the largest religious group. It makes sense for them to develop a modern infrastructure for their tourism. Not everything must be designed from the perspective of the West nor for the West.
They just imitate what was made by Turkish great President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Hope you don't travel to or through Saudi Arabia now, Ben. People who are critical of their regime tend to just disappear.
I dont anticipate this project as advertised will come to fruition. Saudi Arabia had announced expansion and redevelopment of the existing Riyadh airport almost a decade ago. The new city project in Rabeigh north of Jeddah lies forgotten. The new jeddah airport ( gateway to makkah for millions) opened after more than a decade after starting the project (turkey -istanbul completed in record time) and the same with Riyadh subway. Why cant they make saudia...
I dont anticipate this project as advertised will come to fruition. Saudi Arabia had announced expansion and redevelopment of the existing Riyadh airport almost a decade ago. The new city project in Rabeigh north of Jeddah lies forgotten. The new jeddah airport ( gateway to makkah for millions) opened after more than a decade after starting the project (turkey -istanbul completed in record time) and the same with Riyadh subway. Why cant they make saudia better instead of a new airline. What is Saudia's aircraft utilization numbers. Saudia does publish annual financial report. Their major airports still dont have an updated functioning website. They should invest in education, transparency and accountability.
This project will probably be a great success. People in general like to talk about the issues of slave labor, human rights, excessive government control, etc. of the middle east countries; however, when push comes to shove, in reality is all about the glitz that they provide. It is apparent that when ready various travel blogs, the reviewers are always taking about their favorite airlines, e.g. "Emirates is great", "my favorite first class", etc. While...
This project will probably be a great success. People in general like to talk about the issues of slave labor, human rights, excessive government control, etc. of the middle east countries; however, when push comes to shove, in reality is all about the glitz that they provide. It is apparent that when ready various travel blogs, the reviewers are always taking about their favorite airlines, e.g. "Emirates is great", "my favorite first class", etc. While I understand that the goal is to objectively review the airline product, the bloggers have some degree of influence on the general public. Suddenly, people forget what is going on over there and "just want to experience the luxury of the airline". Look at the World Cup, I do not see people boycotting the event, the corporate sponsors are still there; even after prohibiting their product (beer anyone), and much more. These countries know that they can get away with it, people will support them. Just my two cents.
Then quit whining and leave. Beeyotch. Lots of countries have problems like Dubai and Saudi Arabia to begin with. What could anyone do about it. Nothing. It is just another third world country. Drop Dead. SJW lowlife. I hope you choke.
Which companies are participating in building Airport.?
Details are not open as it is still at planning phase. But if I am being honest, between PIF’s money and the lack of morality in the architecture industry, I won’t be surprised if it involves some very well known design firms, contractors and suppliers
Third photo rendering from the top has a women dressed in hijab. Fourth photo has women wearing clothes that I think would be "illegal" for ksa's muttawa police, the one near top of the staircase as well as downstairs on left side (tight pants, short dresses, etc)
Hi Luke, the mutawa police are abolished. Women don't have to wear abayas any longer. It's a very fast pace..
It does not make any sense, Mecca/Jeddah and Medina take the hajii flights, the oilfields are handled by Damman,
Who wants to go to the most boring desolate capital in the world? - for transfer, Saudi is decades behind Qatar and Emirate in terms of service and punctuality.
Perhaps it can be useful for aircraft storage.
Daniel Hi, read more about Riyadh, I live in jeddah and I didt go yet, not keen on doing tourism here anyway, but Riyadh is now totally another city. So much happening and much more open than any city in Saudi now.. Google a bit to see what's happening
It is going to be as successful as Dubai World Airport (or whatever its actual name is)
I get upset about European or North American comments regarding slave labour. Amazing this remind me when prostitute Saturday evening lead Sunday prayer. As for not want passing KSA please do not there are millions other than you passing and working
Labour??? Come on man, it's Labor!!
FIFA will probably award the 2030 world cup to KSA! LOL
The United States' buddy has a new airport to show off. I am sure Trump is stoked.
as he should be. KSA is a wonderful country.
The us would be a better place if it was like KSA.
180 million pax a year through RUH?
Delusional.
I saw a few women in that animation without head coverings. I’m offended! Round them up and give them a good beating.
Also, climate change will increase the already elevated temperatures of the region reducing lift capacity of aircraft. They runways better be extra long.
People here are forgetting how much influence MBS will have for decades to come.
Will they be more 'Western friendly' is still to be seen.
In my business, we call it "lipstick on a pig." Balancing systemic oppression with tourism and being globally "friendly" seems like a tall task at this point.
Nobody is oppressed.
I remember taking emirates from Sydney to NZ very early on it’s growth period. I was a little wary of a Middle East carrier then (lol). I doubt many people felt hugely comfortable transiting through the UAE then. Times do change I guess
Nah. Hard pass
There's a reason why other airports don't have buildings at the end of the runways.
I flew Saudi Airline for the first time last week between IAD and MNL (connecting in RUH) and the entire journey was excruciating. Won't go into too much detail but I was made to wait 2 hours at the check in counter in IAD because for some reason their system wasn't generating a boarding pass for me (or at least that is what I was told after 90 mins of waiting). Three other passengers traveling...
I flew Saudi Airline for the first time last week between IAD and MNL (connecting in RUH) and the entire journey was excruciating. Won't go into too much detail but I was made to wait 2 hours at the check in counter in IAD because for some reason their system wasn't generating a boarding pass for me (or at least that is what I was told after 90 mins of waiting). Three other passengers traveling to MNL (one of them was pregnant and the other a minor) faced the same issue. None of us were given the exact reason for the delay or provided an apology. We were finally issued boarding passes 25 mins prior to takeoff.
Keep in mind that Saudi doesn't participate in TSA Precheck so you will be going through the regular security lines. My flight to RUH was uneventful. Saudi's hard product isn't bad at all but the service leaves a lot to desire.
I had a 9 hour layover in RUH and checked out 3 of the airport lounges. The two PP lounges were fairly crowed and the participating AMEX lounge was basic. Didn't really try the food. Paid for the sleeping pod and was given keys to a room that was clearly dirty (linens not changed, bed not made and dirty bathroom). This happened three times before I was finally given keys to a room where housekeeping had just been to, though again the level of cleaning was very basic.
My take from this experience, Saudis can spend as much money as the like but until they invest in training people and keeping them motivated any new airport of airline won't amount to much.
Who’s actually going to want to go to Saudi Arabia and do what exactly, fly there on a dry airline, be scared of what you say or how you act and look, gee what fun and we already know what happens on the main square
It won't be a dry airline. Nor, eventually, will the airport be dry.
All pie-in-the-sky stuff proposed by a meglomaniacal psychopath.
I can't see Saudi's reputation recovering anytime soon which would change the average passenger's perception of this middle-east dustbowl.
Whether you agree with it or not, authoritarian regimes get things done with little to no opposition. Look how many years it took to build HKG's third runway and compare that to something like NYC's Second Avenue Subway. You're basically building a new airport from scratch.
Wasn't that project idea pre WW2 to move it underground?
And didn't the 3rd runway project also took many years to build?
The best contrast is not even Building infrastructures for an entire World Cup in less than 10 years, but building a 1,000 bed field hospital in a little over a week.
AFAIK, the Hong Kong government adopted the 3rd runway option 10 years ago in 2012, and construction started much later in 2016 (land reclamation started in 2012). That's pretty quick compared to infrastructure projects in the U.S.! Look at the proposed AirTrain to LaGuardia Airport, there's so much red tape, opposition. Now, if it were an authoritarian regime running things, you'll have it up and running by now, and probably at much lower cost too....
AFAIK, the Hong Kong government adopted the 3rd runway option 10 years ago in 2012, and construction started much later in 2016 (land reclamation started in 2012). That's pretty quick compared to infrastructure projects in the U.S.! Look at the proposed AirTrain to LaGuardia Airport, there's so much red tape, opposition. Now, if it were an authoritarian regime running things, you'll have it up and running by now, and probably at much lower cost too. My point is, authoritarian governments get things done quick with little to no red tape, opposition.
How many foreign workers (slaves) will be needed for such a project?
i have seen mexican slaves in Miami in farms they paid them 10$ aday and in Louisiana blak people living in boxes and in every city Seattle NY LA HOUSTON PEOPLE SLEEP IN SIDEWALKS
"120 million passengers annually by 2030"
That many passengers in just 8 years? Good luck with that.
Expecting to have 100 million annual passengers at a single airport by 2030 with capacity for 120 million sounds rather absurd for a place where the entire country currently has around 3 million transiting passengers per year...
Yeah... good luck with that. Likely hard pass on ever entering or transiting through KSA in my lifetime.
Emirates says, "imitation is the greatest form of flattery"
"The airport is also expected to feature an unheard of six parallel runways."
Pshaw, ORD has 6 parallel runways, plus 2 diagonals to boot. (It currently has the most parallel runways of any civilian airport in the world).
The question is does an airport with barely fraction of the traffic of ORD needs that many runways??? Seems like a trophy piece, rather then anything practical
Would imagine that they'd only start with at-most 2, then build as dictated by demand or permitted by revenue.
Similar to DWC... which itself, is rather doubtful to ever have/need 6 parallels.
Rationality isn’t something you should expect from cultures radicalised by religion.
And ORD has 2 additional diagonal runways for a total of 8. Most in the world!
Hope they put seats on the toilets, unlike in the new Jeddah terminal!
So they want to diversify their economies to stave off the economic collapse that will likely accompany the end of big oil. And the secret to this path is... really fancy airports? The occasional world cup?
I'm just curious - how much are they spending on less glamorous items like education improvements? Establishing a more reliable judiciary? You know, the things that can actually help foster innovation and creation?
Yup. They would spend that money much more effectively by fixing choke points that become problems during the Hajj (they seem to have deaths by stampede every few years).
They can build a gorgeous airport, but that's not why I travel.
Can we buy a beer there? NO? Dan volgende land en vliegredery. Bye.
So your entire raison d’etre is that unless there’s beer you won’t fly.
People who consider alcohol as a reason to fly via somewhere need help.
That may be a totally valid perspective for you to hold personally, but good luck hitting those target passenger numbers if KSA is going to alienate that much of the flying public.
Hey Ben, you should write about Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport new Terminal 2 which was inaugurated earlier this month and will start operations soon. It is a Terminal in a Garden and rivals Singapore Changi Airport and Doha's expansion.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/kia-t2-garden-bengaluru-airport-bangalore-city-terminal-2-kempe-gowda-international-kempegowda/article66144020.ece
Rivals Changi and Doha? Is this a joke? It rivals third rate American/European airports at best. And it'll probably be a dump in a few years anyway.
It looks like old style airport with some plants
it looks fantastic! LOL at the "It rivals third rate American/European airports". what world are u living in?
Ignore the jealous haters.
Saudi PIF: $620 billion
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: $829 billion
Singapore: $690 billion + S$400 billion.
I don't know if Abu Dhabi is doing anything ambitious. As you said, they've pretty much given up on the Midfield Terminal Project and not unlikely on Etihad Airways itself. Singapore's ambitious projects involve Changi Terminal 5 and more affordable housing built on reclaimed lands, plus some new MRT lines. Then you have this guy, with the...
Saudi PIF: $620 billion
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: $829 billion
Singapore: $690 billion + S$400 billion.
I don't know if Abu Dhabi is doing anything ambitious. As you said, they've pretty much given up on the Midfield Terminal Project and not unlikely on Etihad Airways itself. Singapore's ambitious projects involve Changi Terminal 5 and more affordable housing built on reclaimed lands, plus some new MRT lines. Then you have this guy, with the smallest AUM per capita among the bunch... I'm not of the opinion that he's being prudent, but ultimately that's for him & his family to decide.
„ the bigger issue is how the country can actually convince people that they want to travel to or through Saudi Arabia“
By
- serving very good champagnes in business and first class
- being cheaper than Emirates in economy class
- offering tax exemptions to instagrammers
- organizing a soccer World Cup.
Unlike UAE, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia actually has an interesting culture and heritage to offer. And a population of 35 million Saudis might also use the airport.
I thought all flights in and out of Saudi Arabia were dry?
Saudi Arabia has a ton of historical sites important to Christians, Jews, and Muslims, especially along its Red Sea coast. The problem is it keeps bulldozing anything non-Islamic because they're unwilling to acknowledge that non-Muslims ever lived on their land.
While Saudi's rulers are fine spending lavishly on a big airport, are they willing to do the harder work of opening up their society to acknowledge that plenty of non-Saudis, non-Arabs, and non-Muslims used...
Saudi Arabia has a ton of historical sites important to Christians, Jews, and Muslims, especially along its Red Sea coast. The problem is it keeps bulldozing anything non-Islamic because they're unwilling to acknowledge that non-Muslims ever lived on their land.
While Saudi's rulers are fine spending lavishly on a big airport, are they willing to do the harder work of opening up their society to acknowledge that plenty of non-Saudis, non-Arabs, and non-Muslims used to live there and built impressive civilizations and (now) historical sites?
It's sort of like asking Americans to respect and even venerate the cultures of Native American nations, in order to promote foreign tourists to come appreciate those cultures. That's not something Americans did until very recently (and even now, not very well).
@Doug
It depends on the airline. Quite a few serve alcohol.
I believe alcohol can be served on flights to/from KSA, but no one can bring alcohol into the country.
But I assume there is a very little amount of passengers flying to KSA who drink alcohol, given that there are very few people who go to the country who are not observing Muslims. Therefore, it may just be extra weight on the plane to fly it and back from KSA. I'm not sure if...
I believe alcohol can be served on flights to/from KSA, but no one can bring alcohol into the country.
But I assume there is a very little amount of passengers flying to KSA who drink alcohol, given that there are very few people who go to the country who are not observing Muslims. Therefore, it may just be extra weight on the plane to fly it and back from KSA. I'm not sure if Emirates serves alcohol on these flights, but I assume not many people on the flight drink if they do.
That's a fair point. Hagra, Jebel Al Lawz, Al Ula, beautiful landscapes like Jebel Fihrayn and some pretty good food, it should be a definite tourist draw, but they have no real infrastructure for tourism, unlike UAE or to a lesser extent, Qatar. They don't make it easy for any westerner to go, and that's only if you get past some of their laws and human rights problems. I can live without alcohol, but they...
That's a fair point. Hagra, Jebel Al Lawz, Al Ula, beautiful landscapes like Jebel Fihrayn and some pretty good food, it should be a definite tourist draw, but they have no real infrastructure for tourism, unlike UAE or to a lesser extent, Qatar. They don't make it easy for any westerner to go, and that's only if you get past some of their laws and human rights problems. I can live without alcohol, but they also ban a fair amount of medications as well. Lots of problems a fancy airport won't fix.
Are Jews allowed?
Yes.
Yes and no. If you have Israeli passport or immigration stamps easily noticeable on your passport, you are barred from transiting through Saudi Arabia or flying Saudia.
Other then that, any other passport are fine even if you are a Jew, as long as you are not openly displaying or practicing your religion
It's why when you enter Israel they no longer stamp your passport.
How many options for Middle eastern transfer hubs do we need for East to West traffic? 4 certainly doesn't seem like the right answer.
It's already 4 if we count Istanbul haha, but I get your point
It's a more intricate question than may seem on the surface.
Sure, individually in places with comparatively small/poor general populations, it seems like overkill... but it's hard to understate just how geographically "perfect" the Middle East is, for international-to-international connections:
*Within 6hrs flying time of 2/3rds of the world's population
*Within 8hrs flying time of 3/4ths of the world's population
*C-market aircraft (16hr+ capability) can hit almost any destination nonstop
*Little...
It's a more intricate question than may seem on the surface.
Sure, individually in places with comparatively small/poor general populations, it seems like overkill... but it's hard to understate just how geographically "perfect" the Middle East is, for international-to-international connections:
*Within 6hrs flying time of 2/3rds of the world's population
*Within 8hrs flying time of 3/4ths of the world's population
*C-market aircraft (16hr+ capability) can hit almost any destination nonstop
*Little obstruction from inclement weather, save excessive midday heat
*Ease of 24hr operability
...so yeah, while all of these things cannot overcome a weak base/market (as EY has learned the hard way), they are a tremendous advantage over many other parts of the world, in trying to launch an operation like this.
@ConcordeBoy
Sounds just like the sales pitch of Anchorage, Gander, Reykjavik, Midway, Wake, Guam etc.
They are also geographically "perfect". I don't see a mega airport on Midway Islands, not even a single flight on some days.
Couple things there:
(1) ANC did maximize its position for airlines all over the world, both pax in early jet era through the 1980s, and cargo currently. It's hardly a counterexample. Just that as the USSR airspace became available, and pax aircraft developed far more range, its position became less strategic.
(2) No one's sinking more than a quarter trillion bucks into maximizing the the likes of KEF, though it also hasn't been unsuccessfully...
Couple things there:
(1) ANC did maximize its position for airlines all over the world, both pax in early jet era through the 1980s, and cargo currently. It's hardly a counterexample. Just that as the USSR airspace became available, and pax aircraft developed far more range, its position became less strategic.
(2) No one's sinking more than a quarter trillion bucks into maximizing the the likes of KEF, though it also hasn't been unsuccessfully in building upon its optimal geographic position, relative to what its operator(s) and their fleet types can sustain.
(3) The rest of those are just you being willfully obtuse, so no real need for addressing.
Just like typical dinosaurs, you don't even realize it but calling out others.
You're obtuse enough to admit how irrelevant your sales pitch is in your response (1) but don't even know it.
KEF in (2) doesn't even exist when these stopovers was still geographically "perfect".
But you have a real need for addressing, prefer CuntcordBoy or Wankersaurus?
THAT is the limit of your wit?
....seriously? lol
That's more than enough for a Cuntcordwankersaurus to not understand. Too much would just confuse you.
That's literally the Riyadh version of DWC.
Which itself is down to what, one or two secondary Russian pax airlines, at this point?
They were also never able to convince most of the Western cargo haulers to switch from DXB either, IINM.
All these petro-state despots are just looking to show off the size of their flaccid d***s. None of them have any real vision beyond that.