Saudi Arabia’s aviation industry reaches new milestones, airports recorded 128 million passengers in 2024

Saudi Arabia’s aviation industry reached new milestones in 2024, with airports across the Kingdom handling an unprecedented 128 million passengers. This figure represents a 15% increase from the previous year and a remarkable 25% jump from pre-pandemic levels, according to the latest Air Traffic 2024 Report by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).

Saudi Arabia’s Aviation Industry Records Boom in Passenger and Flight Operations

The surge in air travel was driven by both domestic and international demand. A total of 59 million passengers flew within Saudi Arabia, while 69 million took international routes, reflecting the Kingdom’s expanding global connectivity. Flight operations also saw an upswing, with a total of 905,000 flights recorded—an 11% increase from 2023.

As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, air connectivity expanded by 16%, linking the country to over 170 destinations worldwide. This growth aligns with the Kingdom’s ambition to position itself as a leading global aviation hub.

Cargo and Hajj Travel Reach New Peaks

The aviation sector’s success extended beyond passenger travel. Air cargo operations saw a sharp 34% increase, surpassing 1.2 million tons in total shipments. The bulk of this cargo—1.17 million tons—was processed at the country’s three busiest airports:

King Khalid International Airport (Riyadh) – 573,000 tons
King Abdulaziz International Airport (Jeddah) – 461,000 tons
King Fahd International Airport (Dammam) – 140,000 tons

Meanwhile, the annual Hajj pilgrimage contributed significantly to the rise in international air traffic. Between May 9 and July 21, 1.5 million pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia, making up 40% of all international travelers during that period.

Global Rankings and Key Routes

Saudi Arabia’s growing aviation influence was underscored by its prominence on global flight networks. According to travel data provider OAG, the Jeddah-Riyadh route saw the highest capacity growth among domestic routes worldwide in 2024. Additionally, the Cairo-Jeddah route ranked as the second busiest international air corridor globally.

With the aviation sector soaring to new heights, Saudi Arabia is firmly establishing itself as a key player in global air travel, reinforcing its strategic vision for economic diversification and tourism expansion.