RIYADH, Jan 29 (Bernama-SPA) -- Saudi Arabia’s air traffic reached a record growth in 2025, surpassing regional rates, with passenger numbers growing by 9.6 per cent, according to Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The growth reinforced the Kingdom’s position as one of the fastest-growing and most advanced aviation markets in the world, driven by tourism growth, global events, and increasing international air connectivity.
The 9.6 per cent growth rate was not merely a figure; it was the result of expanded capacity and air connectivity, as the Kingdom’s airports recorded approximately 140.9 million passengers, including 76 million international and 65 million domestic passengers.
It also coincided with a notable 8.3 per cent increase in flights, bringing the total to around 980,400 passengers, clearly indicating the sustainability of the sector’s recovery, SPA reported.
King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah continued to lead the scene with a 38 per cent share of total passenger traffic and a daily average of 146,000 passengers, exceeding its capacity utilisation rate by 107 per cent.
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh also recorded a strong performance, accounting for 29 per cent of total passengers with a daily average of 112,000 passengers, while Madinah and Dammam airports recorded historic surges with capacity utilisation rates exceeding 137 per cent and 112 per cent, respectively.
At the international level, the Kingdom succeeded in securing air connectivity to 176 international destinations with high-frequency rates of 52 flights or more per year, enhancing ease of access to the Kingdom from different continents.
The Kingdom also reinforced its distinction on the world’s busiest air corridors, as the Cairo–Jeddah route ranked second globally with 5.8 million seats, while the Dubai–Riyadh route ranked seventh globally with 4.5 million seats.
In parallel with passenger traffic growth, the air cargo sector witnessed stability, with cargo volumes reaching 1.18 million tonnes, and the three major airports of Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam accounting for the largest share, reflecting the aviation sector’s role as a key driver of economic growth and logistics services.
-- BERNAMA-SPA
