Simple Flying
Last November, Saudi Arabia revealed a plan for a six-runway mega airport in Riyadh. King Salman International Airport will represent a new age for Saudi aviation. With nearly six months on from the revelation, here's a look at what to expect with the project.
The new airport is just part of the puzzle involving a new generation of infrastructure across Saudi Arabia. Along with revamping Riyadh’s transport scene, a new megacity is being planned separately in the Tabuk Province in the northwest of the nation, backed by a new carrier in the form of Neom Airlines.
Riyadh will also be getting its own new airline amid Riyadh Air formally being announced last month after months of speculation. Overall, these initiatives are part of Saudi's Vision 2030 Investment plan of diversifying its economy away from oil.
King Salman International Airport will be a hub for Riyadh Air, along with existing flag carrier Saudia. The site will have six parallel runways and provide the capacity for 120 million passengers by 2030. This figure is planned to grow to 185 million by 2050 while serving 3.5 million tons of cargo.
