Saudi Arabia Inaugurates Expanded Al-Jouf International Airport to Serve Northern Region
New modern terminal nearly nine times larger than its predecessor opens near Sakakah, boosting connectivity and supporting Vision 2030 goals
Saudi Arabia has officially inaugurated the new Al-Jouf International Airport near the city of Sakakah, marking a significant upgrade in aviation infrastructure for the country’s northern region.
The expanded facility, officially opened on January 19, is designed to handle up to 1.6 million passengers annually — a dramatic increase from the roughly 175,000-passenger capacity of the previous airport terminal.
The modern terminal, which spans more than 24,000 square metres, features two passenger boarding bridges, seven departure gates, four arrival gates and sixteen check-in counters, including self-service options, to streamline travel for both domestic and international travellers.
The enhanced airport also includes several smart passenger flow systems, expanded commercial and investment areas, family-friendly amenities and ample parking, reflecting Riyadh’s broader agenda to elevate service levels and operational efficiency across the Kingdom’s air network.
Officials said the inauguration reinforces Saudi Arabia’s commitment to expanding regional connectivity and supporting economic and tourism growth under the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and Vision 2030. Airlines currently operating at Al-Jouf include several Saudi and international carriers, with connections to major hubs such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Sharjah, Dubai, Cairo and Assiut, and domestic flights accounting for a significant majority of movements.
The airport’s enhanced capacity and facilities are expected to support continued growth in passenger traffic and to catalyse economic development in the northern parts of the Kingdom by improving access for business, leisure and pilgrimage travel.
Trial operations are set to begin in February following final operational testing, as the new airport prepares to integrate fully into Saudi Arabia’s expanding aviation ecosystem.
The expanded facility, officially opened on January 19, is designed to handle up to 1.6 million passengers annually — a dramatic increase from the roughly 175,000-passenger capacity of the previous airport terminal.
The modern terminal, which spans more than 24,000 square metres, features two passenger boarding bridges, seven departure gates, four arrival gates and sixteen check-in counters, including self-service options, to streamline travel for both domestic and international travellers.
The enhanced airport also includes several smart passenger flow systems, expanded commercial and investment areas, family-friendly amenities and ample parking, reflecting Riyadh’s broader agenda to elevate service levels and operational efficiency across the Kingdom’s air network.
Officials said the inauguration reinforces Saudi Arabia’s commitment to expanding regional connectivity and supporting economic and tourism growth under the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and Vision 2030. Airlines currently operating at Al-Jouf include several Saudi and international carriers, with connections to major hubs such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Sharjah, Dubai, Cairo and Assiut, and domestic flights accounting for a significant majority of movements.
The airport’s enhanced capacity and facilities are expected to support continued growth in passenger traffic and to catalyse economic development in the northern parts of the Kingdom by improving access for business, leisure and pilgrimage travel.
Trial operations are set to begin in February following final operational testing, as the new airport prepares to integrate fully into Saudi Arabia’s expanding aviation ecosystem.
