King Salman International Airport

King Salman International Airport (KSIA) is a developmental project currently under implementation. It aims at enhancing Riyadh's status as a global logistics hub and making it a destination for transportation, trade, and tourism. The announcement of its master plan was made by Crown Prince, Prime Minister, Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, and Chairman of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, on November 28, 2022.

KSIA is set to be one of the largest airports in the world, covering an area of approximately fifty-seven km. This includes the existing terminals known as King Khalid Terminals, along with six runways. Additionally, the airport will feature twelve km of supporting facilities, residential assets, recreational areas, retail outlets, and various logistical services.

The airport contributes to supporting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's plans for Riyadh City to be among the top ten city economies globally and to keep pace with the continuous growth in the population of the capital, Riyadh, which aims to reach between fifteen and twenty million people by 2030.

KSIA is working to increase its capacity to accommodate up to 120 million passengers by 2030, with a target of reaching 185 million passengers. Additionally, it aims to handle 3.5 million t of cargo by 2050.

The announcement of the master plan for KSIA supports the Kingdom's efforts to diversify its economy. The project is expected to contribute approximately SAR27 billion annually to the non-oil gross domestic product (GDP) and create 103,000 direct and indirect job opportunities. Sustainability is a key priority for the airport, which aims to achieve LEED platinum certification for environmentally friendly projects and will be supported by renewable energy resources.

The airport announcement aligns with the PIF's strategy, which focuses on unlocking the potential of promising sectors, real estate projects, and infrastructure development initiatives locally. It also aligns with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and the National Initiative for Global Supply Chains.

On August 20, 2024, King Salman International Airport Development Company, one of the PIF's entities, signed strategic partnership agreements with four local and international companies specializing in architecture, engineering, construction, and air traffic management. According to the agreements, Foster and Partners will be responsible for designing the airport's master plan, reflecting Riyadh's identity and echoing Saudi culture. Jacobs Engineering will provide specialized consulting services for the detailed master plan and the design of the new runways. Mace will implement global best practices, innovations, and advanced methodologies throughout all phases of planning and construction. Moreover, the Saudi company 'Nera' will oversee the airspace design to enhance air traffic efficiency and improve operational processes using modern technologies.