Saudi Aviation Records Historic Passenger Traffic in 2025 and Sets Sights on Further Growth in 2026
The Kingdom’s civil aviation sector achieved unprecedented passenger volumes last year as connectivity expands and Vision 2030 objectives drive future expansion
Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation industry closed 2025 with record passenger numbers, positioning the Kingdom on a strong trajectory for further growth in 2026 as it expands connectivity, infrastructure and strategic partnerships.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) reported that more than 140 million passengers passed through Saudi airports in 2025, representing a significant increase on prior records and reinforcing the sector’s rapid recovery and expansion amid sustained global travel demand.
Official data released by GACA earlier showed that Saudi airports welcomed more than 103 million passengers between January and September 2025, a nine percent year-on-year rise, alongside total flight movements exceeding 713,000 and connections to over 170 destinations worldwide.
The results reflected robust domestic travel, growing international connectivity and expanded route networks, in line with the Kingdom’s ambition to become a leading global aviation hub.
GACA President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej underscored that sustained passenger growth is delivering on the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which seek to diversify economic activity and integrate Saudi Arabia more fully into global aviation flows.
The strategy anticipates doubling annual passenger capacity and significantly increasing cargo throughput by the end of the decade.
Cargo volumes have also risen, with hundreds of thousands of tonnes of origin-and-destination and transit freight handled by Saudi airports in 2025, strengthening the country’s role as a logistics hub bridging Asia, Europe and Africa.
Key airports such as King Abdulaziz International in Jeddah set individual milestones, handling record passenger volumes that underscore broader sector momentum.
Looking ahead to 2026, Saudi aviation officials are focused on sustaining growth through continued route expansion, enhanced service offerings and large-scale infrastructure projects, including the ongoing development of King Salman International Airport near Riyadh.
With global carriers adding services to and from Saudi destinations and new operators entering the market, the industry is poised to support increasing travel demand while contributing significantly to national economic diversification and international tourism objectives.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) reported that more than 140 million passengers passed through Saudi airports in 2025, representing a significant increase on prior records and reinforcing the sector’s rapid recovery and expansion amid sustained global travel demand.
Official data released by GACA earlier showed that Saudi airports welcomed more than 103 million passengers between January and September 2025, a nine percent year-on-year rise, alongside total flight movements exceeding 713,000 and connections to over 170 destinations worldwide.
The results reflected robust domestic travel, growing international connectivity and expanded route networks, in line with the Kingdom’s ambition to become a leading global aviation hub.
GACA President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej underscored that sustained passenger growth is delivering on the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which seek to diversify economic activity and integrate Saudi Arabia more fully into global aviation flows.
The strategy anticipates doubling annual passenger capacity and significantly increasing cargo throughput by the end of the decade.
Cargo volumes have also risen, with hundreds of thousands of tonnes of origin-and-destination and transit freight handled by Saudi airports in 2025, strengthening the country’s role as a logistics hub bridging Asia, Europe and Africa.
Key airports such as King Abdulaziz International in Jeddah set individual milestones, handling record passenger volumes that underscore broader sector momentum.
Looking ahead to 2026, Saudi aviation officials are focused on sustaining growth through continued route expansion, enhanced service offerings and large-scale infrastructure projects, including the ongoing development of King Salman International Airport near Riyadh.
With global carriers adding services to and from Saudi destinations and new operators entering the market, the industry is poised to support increasing travel demand while contributing significantly to national economic diversification and international tourism objectives.
