Saudi Arabia’s capital is preparing for a step change in its aviation landscape as King Salman International Airport in Riyadh moves into a new phase of development deals aimed at enhancing aviation operations and attracting tens of millions of additional visitors. Backed by the Public Investment Fund and aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy, the project is advancing from master planning into large-scale construction, new partnerships and detailed agreements that will reshape how travelers arrive in and move through Riyadh over the next decade.

A Mega Hub at the Heart of Vision 2030

King Salman International Airport is conceived as a global super hub that will ultimately replace and absorb the existing King Khalid International Airport. Announced in late 2022, the master plan calls for a vast aviation and mixed-use district covering around 57 square kilometers to the north of central Riyadh. The airport is designed to serve as a gateway between East and West, anchoring Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a leading logistics, business and tourism center by 2030 and beyond.

According to official information from the airport developer, the complex will be capable of handling up to 100 million passengers and about 2 million tons of cargo annually by 2030, with a long-term target of 185 million passengers and 3.5 million tons of freight by 2050. This scale would place Riyadh among the largest aviation hubs in the world, rivaling today’s leading transit centers in the Gulf, Europe and Asia. The project is therefore central not only to Saudi Arabia’s aviation strategy but also to its broader economic diversification program.

King Salman International Airport is being developed by King Salman International Airport Development Company, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund. Its mandate is to deliver an airport that combines high capacity with advanced technology, sustainability and distinctive Saudi cultural design. The airport’s vision emphasizes a seamless passenger experience, efficient operations and an integrated urban environment that blends terminals, logistics areas, hotels, commercial zones and residential neighborhoods into a single mega project.

New Development Deals Mark the Next Phase

In recent months and throughout 2025, the airport has begun signing a series of new development deals and memorandums of understanding that signal the start of its large-scale build-out. These agreements span passenger terminals, airside infrastructure, logistics areas and supporting real estate, and create a framework for international engineering firms, Saudi technology entities and local contractors to work together on the complex program.

One of the landmark arrangements involves the appointment of Bechtel as delivery partner for several of the airport’s main terminals. The United States-based engineering group has been tasked with managing the delivery of multiple passenger facilities, including a primary commercial terminal, a terminal dedicated to low-cost carriers and a new private aviation terminal with associated hangars. The role positions Bechtel at the center of coordinating design, construction and commissioning of the key buildings that will handle tens of millions of passengers a year once operations begin.

Additional partnerships focus on integrating the airport into Riyadh’s wider infrastructure plans. A memorandum of understanding between the King Salman International Airport Development Company and the Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Centre sets out joint planning and data sharing to align road connections, utilities and city-wide development with the airport’s phased construction. The agreement is framed as a way to ensure institutional coordination, embed best practices in project management and support sustainability standards across the entire build program.

Runways, Terminals and Critical Airside Infrastructure

On the ground, work is already advancing on some of the most critical operational components. By the end of 2025, construction began on a third runway for the future airport, with Spanish contractor FCC Construction partnering with Saudi firm Almabani. The new strip is planned at about 4.2 kilometers in length and connected through multiple taxiways, increasing the capital’s aircraft handling capacity from an estimated 65 movements per hour to around 85 movements per hour. This expansion is designed to accommodate a rapid build-up of traffic before the full terminal complex opens.

The third and future fourth runway form part of a six-runway layout that will ultimately integrate and expand upon the existing runways at King Khalid International Airport. The broader site will include approximately 12 square kilometers of support facilities such as maintenance zones, logistics parks, staff accommodation, retail districts and recreational areas. As tenders are rolled out, contractors are being invited to deliver fuel storage and distribution systems, hydrant networks for new aircraft parking stands, and extensive earthworks and utility diversions to prepare the site for vertical construction.

On the terminal side, Saudi authorities have confirmed plans for a major new passenger terminal capable of handling up to 40 million travelers each year in its initial phase. The facility will be connected to the Riyadh Metro network and is being designed with biometric check-in systems, expansive commercial and dining areas, premium lounges and generous natural light. Construction of this terminal is tied to a series of contracts and framework agreements that are expected to gain momentum from 2026 onward as the airport targets an operational launch around 2029.

Global Design Teams and Smart Operations

To deliver such a complex megaproject, Saudi Arabia has enlisted a roster of leading international and domestic design and engineering firms. The airport’s master plan and detailed design are being guided by a consortium that includes British architectural practice Foster + Partners, American engineering company Jacobs, UK-based construction consultant Mace and Saudi technical specialist Nera. This group is tasked with turning the project’s vision into a buildable program that balances capacity, aesthetics, sustainability and operational resilience.

Jacobs is providing consulting expertise for the master plan and new runways, including airfield geometry and safety standards. Mace is focusing on implementing global best practices in project management across planning and construction, coordinating multiple contractors and work packages on a tightly sequenced schedule. Nera is responsible for designing the airspace and integrating advanced air traffic management technologies to optimize efficiency in the busy Riyadh flight corridors.

On the infrastructure side, another major development deal sees Parsons overseeing the delivery of airside infrastructure packages, including runways, taxiways, aircraft parking stands, air traffic control towers, fuel farms and emergency services facilities. The firm is also charged with ensuring that the airport’s landside assets, such as access roads and utilities, are properly integrated with the city’s broader network. Together, these partnerships reflect a strategy of spreading risk and leveraging specialized expertise to keep the program on track.

Private Aviation, VIP Experiences and Luxury Tourism

Beyond the main commercial facilities, King Salman International Airport is taking shape as a high-end destination for private aviation and luxury travelers. Airport leadership has outlined plans for a dedicated private aviation district that will include its own terminal, hangars and a cluster of exclusive villas for visiting dignitaries and high-net-worth individuals. According to the acting chief executive, this area is expected to be fully operational by 2027, even before the wider airport reaches full capacity.

The private aviation wing is conceived as a secure, self-contained enclave where state visitors, corporate leaders and private jet users can move discreetly between aircraft and accommodation. The inclusion of standalone VIP villas, rather than traditional airport lounges alone, signals an intention to compete directly with the most exclusive facilities at hubs in Dubai, Doha and other global capitals. This approach aligns with Riyadh’s broader push to attract international events, government summits and high-profile sports and entertainment fixtures.

For tourism, these features are significant. Travelers drawn by new luxury resorts, cultural districts and major attractions planned across Riyadh and other Saudi cities will find an arrival experience that mirrors the standards of the country’s new hotels and entertainment venues. The airport is expected to play a central role in supporting the Kingdom’s target of tens of millions of annual visitors by the end of the decade, with tailored facilities for leisure tourists, religious pilgrims, medical travelers and business delegates.

While King Salman International Airport is being built, Riyadh’s existing King Khalid International Airport is undergoing a rapid transformation that closely dovetails with the new project. Riyadh Airports Company and the General Authority of Civil Aviation are implementing a strategic terminal reorganization and infrastructure upgrade, scheduled to come into effect during the first quarter of 2026. The plan will see terminals reallocated based on carrier type and route profile to simplify operations and prepare airlines for a future shift to the new mega hub.

Under the new arrangement, terminals 1 and 2 at King Khalid will handle international flights operated by Saudi carriers, terminals 3 and 4 will focus on domestic flights, and terminal 5 will serve international flights by foreign airlines. The reconfiguration accompanies extensive refurbishment, including overhauls of electromechanical systems, security and telecommunication networks, and passenger-facing areas from check-in through baggage reclaim. Authorities expect the changes to increase throughput, reduce connection times and enhance the reliability of ground operations.

This interim transformation is closely linked to the long-term vision for King Salman International Airport. As new runways and terminals come online at the future mega hub, elements of King Khalid will be absorbed into a unified complex, and airlines will gradually transition across. The current reallocation of terminals and technology upgrades are thus designed not only to improve today’s performance but also to align carriers and service providers with the standards and processes that will eventually govern the new airport.

Sustainability, Technology and Passenger Experience

Central to the new development deals is a strong focus on sustainability and smart airport operations. The main terminals at King Salman International Airport are being designed to meet stringent environmental certifications, with extensive use of solar power, advanced water recycling systems and building envelopes that reduce energy demand. Developers are targeting high levels of certification, and the project is often highlighted as a flagship for Saudi Arabia’s broader push toward greener infrastructure.

Digital technologies are expected to underpin both airside and landside operations. Plans call for biometric processing at multiple touch points, from self-service check-in to boarding gates, enabling faster passenger flows and reducing bottlenecks at security and immigration. Baggage systems will be automated and data-driven, while sensors and real-time analytics will support everything from aircraft turnaround management to terminal climate control. These innovations are framed as essential for an airport that aims to handle over 100 million passengers a year without sacrificing comfort or service quality.

For travelers, the new development deals are likely to translate into a significantly different experience compared with the current Riyadh airport. Developers describe a terminal environment with expansive retail and dining options, hospitality spaces that reflect Saudi culture and design, and intuitive wayfinding supported by digital tools. The combination of high-capacity infrastructure and tailored service concepts for different traveler profiles is intended to make Riyadh not only a transit hub but also a destination where passengers choose to spend time.

Economic Ripple Effects Across Riyadh and the Kingdom

As the agreements around King Salman International Airport multiply, so too do the expectations for its broader economic impact. Official projections suggest the airport will contribute billions of dollars annually to Saudi Arabia’s non-oil gross domestic product once fully operational, driven by increased tourism, trade, logistics and aviation services. The project is already generating demand for construction, engineering, technology and professional services, with contracts awarded to both global firms and local companies.

In the medium term, the surrounding real estate and commercial areas are likely to become a major employment hub for the Riyadh region. The master plan includes zones for logistics warehouses, e-commerce fulfillment centers, hotels, exhibition spaces, retail malls and residential communities. As airlines expand their networks to and from Riyadh, and as new carriers such as Riyadh Air build up fleets and routes, the airport is expected to support thousands of jobs in ground handling, maintenance, hospitality and tourism.

For travelers and industry stakeholders watching from abroad, the latest wave of development deals at King Salman International Airport offers a clear signal that Saudi Arabia’s aviation ambitions are accelerating. With construction of runways under way, terminal delivery partnerships in place, private aviation districts announced and coordination mechanisms established with city authorities, Riyadh is entering a decisive phase in its effort to become one of the world’s leading air gateways by the end of this decade.