Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport is preparing for a sweeping operational shakeup that will temporarily redirect many flights between terminals over a 10 day period from February 16 to 25, 2026. The transition, described by airport officials as the largest in the airport’s 40 year history, will affect both domestic and international travelers and will be particularly significant for passengers flying with Saudia, flynas, flyadeal and a wide range of foreign carriers. For anyone passing through the Saudi capital during this window, understanding where to go and when will be crucial to avoiding confusion and last minute gate scrambles.
What Is Changing Between February 16 and 25
The transition period from February 16 to 25 marks the activation of a new terminal allocation strategy at King Khalid International Airport. The reorganization is designed to align actual operations with a broader transformation plan announced in late 2025, under which Terminals 1 and 2 are dedicated to international flights operated by national airlines, Terminals 3 and 4 handle domestic services, and Terminal 5 becomes the main base for foreign carriers’ international flights. Rather than switching all flights at once, Riyadh Airports has opted for a phased approach spread across several key dates.
Beginning on February 16, international flights will start to move in stages to their new homes, followed by domestic services in the final days of the transition. For travelers, this means that two flights on the same route, operated only days apart, might depart from completely different terminals. The changes will not be limited to check in areas alone; arrivals flows, passport control counters and baggage claim zones will all be realigned to match the new terminal structure.
Airport management has emphasized that the goal is to minimize disruption, but they acknowledge that the scale of the operation is unprecedented for King Khalid International Airport. During the transition window, passengers are strongly advised to pay close attention to booking confirmations, pre departure messages from airlines and airport signage, as relying on past experience or habitual terminal choices will no longer be safe.
Key Dates and Terminal Moves Travelers Must Note
The most important details for passengers are the specific dates and times at which certain airlines and route types will switch terminals. The first major change comes on February 16, when international flights operated by low cost carrier flyadeal that are scheduled to depart after 12:00 a.m. will relocate to Terminal 1. From that moment, travelers flying abroad with flyadeal should head to Terminal 1, even if they previously used a different terminal for the same destination.
The second key step in the reshuffle follows almost immediately. From February 17, all international flights operated by Saudia and departing after 3:00 a.m. will be handled at Terminal 2. This move consolidates Saudia’s overseas operations in the newly overhauled international terminal, which has been extensively modernized and expanded. Passengers holding Saudia tickets during this period need to check whether their departure falls before or after the cut off time, as flights in the early hours of February 17 could still be processed at the former terminal allocation.
The reshuffle then shifts focus to domestic networks later in the period. On February 24, all Saudia domestic flights scheduled to depart after 12:00 a.m. will move to Terminal 4, and domestic flights operated by Saudia, flynas and flyadeal departing after 11:00 p.m. that day will also begin using Terminal 4. This represents the practical start of Riyadh’s plan to centralize domestic operations in the southern terminal complex, and it will affect a large volume of late night and early morning services.
The final and most comprehensive stage arrives on February 25. From 5:00 a.m. that day, international flights operated by foreign carriers will relocate to Terminal 5. From 7:00 a.m., domestic flights run by Saudia, flynas and flyadeal will operate exclusively from Terminal 3, formally designating it as a domestic only facility. By the end of February 25, the airport will be operating under its new long term pattern, and the transitional phase will be over. Nonetheless, travelers should expect some fine tuning to continue as airlines and airport teams settle into the new layout.
How the New Terminal Layout Will Work After the Overhaul
Once the transition is complete, Riyadh’s main airport will operate with a much clearer division of roles between its terminals. Terminals 1 and 2 will be reserved for international flights by national carriers, including Saudia and the emerging Riyadh Air brand. Terminal 1 in particular has recently undergone a high profile renovation, winning awards for its design and emphasizing more generous space, upgraded infrastructure and a more seamless passenger experience for travelers on Saudi airlines’ international routes.
Terminal 2, which has also been redeveloped and officially opened in early 2026, will complement Terminal 1 as part of a twin international hub for national carriers. With a combined capacity now estimated at around 14 million passengers per year across both terminals, the pair form the backbone of Riyadh’s ambitions to position itself as a major international aviation hub. Travelers transiting through Riyadh on national carriers can expect better connectivity and a more coherent experience when switching between international services operated by Saudia and Riyadh Air.
On the domestic side, Terminals 3 and 4 will jointly handle all flights within the Kingdom. Terminal 4 has already been serving a substantial volume of Saudia’s domestic traffic, and its role will expand as flynas and flyadeal consolidate more operations there and in Terminal 3. The focus will be on streamlining domestic flows, shortening walk distances and reducing transfer times for travelers connecting between cities such as Jeddah, Dammam, Abha and Tabuk.
Terminal 5 will become the principal base for foreign airlines operating international services to and from Riyadh. This separation between national and foreign carriers is intended to simplify operational planning, border control staffing and passenger guidance, as well as to reduce congestion in shared areas. For international visitors arriving on foreign carriers, the new system should eventually make it easier to understand where to go, with a single dedicated terminal housing check in, security, departures and arrivals.
Why the Transformation Is Happening Now
The timing of the February transition is closely linked to the completion of major refurbishment works at King Khalid International Airport. Over the past two years, Riyadh Airports and the General Authority of Civil Aviation have overseen extensive upgrades to Terminals 1 and 2, replacing aging infrastructure, reconfiguring passenger flows and installing new technology at check in, security, passport control and baggage areas. Terminal 1 in particular has been highlighted as a flagship renovation, showcasing new interior design, expanded operational spaces and smart systems aimed at improving both efficiency and comfort.
These changes are part of a broader strategy connected to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 program, which seeks to transform the Kingdom into a leading global logistics and tourism hub. With Riyadh being positioned as a focal point for conferences, sporting fixtures and cultural events, airport capacity and service levels must keep pace. Officials note that the remodeled terminals significantly increase the airport’s annual passenger handling potential, while also providing more room for airline growth and higher quality ground services.
At the same time, the February transition is designed to be the first full scale implementation of a new terminal allocation model that was outlined in late 2025. Rather than relying on ad hoc assignments that evolved over decades, the airport will have a structured division between domestic and international operations and between national and foreign carriers. This is expected to reduce complexity behind the scenes, making it easier to coordinate check in counters, gate usage, security resources and baggage logistics.
Looking further ahead, King Khalid International Airport will be integrated into the wider vision for King Salman International Airport, a vast new complex planned to open around 2030. For now, though, the February 16 to 25 transition is about optimizing what already exists, smoothing current operations and preparing the ground for the capital’s long term expansion as one of the Middle East’s leading air gateways.
Practical Advice for Passengers Traveling During the Transition
For travelers booked to fly through Riyadh between February 16 and 25, the most important step is to verify the correct terminal before heading to the airport. Given that terminal assignments will depend on both airline and time of departure, assumptions based on previous trips will not be reliable. Passengers should consult their airline’s latest communication, mobile applications and updated booking confirmations to confirm the exact terminal indicated for check in.
The airport has advised passengers to arrive earlier than usual during the transition period, noting that check in at the designated terminal will open four hours before departure for most flights. Allowing extra time is particularly important for those unfamiliar with Riyadh’s airport layout, families traveling with children, and anyone needing special assistance or extra services such as oversized baggage handling. Ground staff will be deployed to guide passengers between terminals, but queues and longer walking routes should be anticipated as everyone adjusts to the new system.
Travelers making connections in Riyadh should pay special attention to minimum connection times during this phase. While the airport’s long term plan aims to reduce transfer times, the short term effect of shifting operations and passenger flows could create temporary bottlenecks. Those with tight connections, especially where a domestic leg connects to an international flight on a different carrier, should consider contacting their airline in advance to confirm recommended connection windows and what support will be available if flights arrive late.
Ground transportation users will also want to plan ahead. Taxis, ride share services and private drivers may be accustomed to dropping passengers at particular terminals for specific airlines. During the transition, travelers should clearly communicate the updated terminal number to their driver before setting off. For those using long term parking or being picked up on arrival, confirming the correct arrivals terminal is equally important to avoid unnecessary detours around the airport’s ring roads and access points.
What to Expect Inside the Revamped Terminals
Although any major operational change can be disruptive in the short term, passengers traveling through Riyadh after the transition should begin to notice tangible improvements inside the terminals. The renovated Terminals 1 and 2 now feature expanded check in halls with additional counters and self service kiosks, upgraded security lanes designed to speed up screening, and more e gates at passport control to help reduce waiting times during peak international travel periods.
Departures areas have been reconfigured to create clearer sightlines and more intuitive wayfinding, with large digital displays and consistent signage in both Arabic and English. Seating zones have been redesigned with a focus on comfort, offering more charging points and work friendly spaces for business travelers. Retail and food outlets have also been refreshed, with an emphasis on providing a mix of international brands and local concepts that reflect Riyadh’s evolving identity as a modern, globally connected city.
Domestic terminals are being similarly reshaped to support higher frequencies and more point to point connections within the Kingdom. Travelers on internal routes can expect more dedicated security and boarding zones for domestic flights, helping to separate them from international flows. This not only reduces congestion but also allows domestic travelers to move more quickly from curb to gate, particularly on shorter business trips where speed and predictability are key.
Behind the scenes, new baggage handling systems, upgraded information technology networks and enhanced safety and security measures are being introduced across the airport. While much of this will remain invisible to passengers, the aim is to cut down on misrouted bags, improve on time performance and make it easier for airlines and the airport operator to respond to disruptions such as weather delays or late arriving aircraft.
Looking Beyond February: Riyadh’s Bigger Aviation Ambitions
The February terminal transition at King Khalid International Airport is only one component of a far larger aviation strategy unfolding in Riyadh. The capital is at the center of an ambitious plan to become a global crossroads for air travel, supported by the development of King Salman International Airport and the expansion of homegrown carriers. The reallocation of terminals, completion of renovations and consolidation of domestic and international operations at KKIA are stepping stones toward that goal.
By separating national carriers, foreign airlines, domestic flights and international services into clearly defined terminal clusters, Riyadh aims to build a more scalable and resilient airport system. As passenger numbers grow, this structure should make it easier to add capacity, introduce new routes and offer smoother connections, whether travelers are heading to Europe, Asia, Africa or other parts of the Middle East. The infrastructure upgrades now coming online are also intended to meet the expectations of a new generation of travelers who see seamless digital services, faster processing and more comfortable public spaces as standard.
For travelers, the near term message is clear: February 16 to 25 will be a period of adjustment, and paying close attention to terminal information will be essential. In the longer term, however, those who pass regularly through Riyadh can expect a more coherent, efficient and traveler friendly hub as the terminal overhaul settles in and further elements of the city’s aviation vision come to life. Whether visiting the Saudi capital for business, transiting on a multi leg journey or beginning a holiday in the Kingdom, understanding these changes now will help ensure smoother journeys in the months and years ahead.