Saudi air passenger traffic up 15% to over 128m in 2024

19/05/2025 02:22 AST

Saudi Arabia's air travel sector experienced a 15 percent growth in passenger traffic in 2024, with more than 128 million passengers traveling through the Kingdom's airports, a report revealed.

According to the General Authority for Statistics' Air Transport Statistics Publication 2024, international passenger traffic reached 69 million, an increase of 14 percent compared to 2023. Domestic passenger traffic also rose by 16 percent, totaling 59 million passengers.

Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport led with 49 million passengers, registering a 14 percent increase from the previous year.

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh followed with 37.6 million passengers, an 18 percent increase, while Dammam's King Fahd International Airport handled 12.8 million passengers, up 15 percent.

The average daily number of passengers at Saudi airports stood at approximately 189,000 for international flights and 162,000 for domestic routes.

Flight volumes also saw notable growth. The number of domestic flights reached 474,000 in 2024, up 12 percent, while international flights rose by 10 percent to 431,000.

Jeddah recorded the most flight operations with nearly 290,000, followed by Riyadh with 274,000 and Dammam airport with 105,000.

Saudi airlines operated 412,000 domestic and 152,000 international flights. Foreign airlines accounted for 1,584 domestic and 266,000 international routes, while general aviation contributed 60,000 domestic and 13,000 international flights.

Cargo traffic increased as well, with total air freight volumes reaching 1.2 million tonnes, a 34 percent growth from 2023.

Inbound cargo comprised 720,000 tonnes, outbound 64,000 tonnes, and transit cargo 407,000 tonnes. The highest monthly cargo volume was recorded in March at 123,000 tonnes.

The total aircraft fleet in Saudi Arabia grew to 361 in 2024, marking an 11 percent rise. The commercial fleet accounted for 258 aircraft, up 12 percent, with the largest segment comprising aircraft with over 250 seats. The general aviation fleet reached 103 aircraft, a 7 percent increase.

In terms of passenger handling ability, the total across Saudi airports reached 126 million in 2024. King Abdulaziz International Airport led with a designed capacity of 50 million passengers, an 11 percent year-on-year increase, operating at 98 percent of that limit.

King Khalid International Airport followed with 39 million, a 5 percent increase, and a 96 percent utilization rate.

The report also indicated improvements in air connectivity. King Abdulaziz International Airport offered the highest number of international routes at 369, followed by Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah with 272, King Khalid International Airport with 165, and King Fahd International Airport with 85.

Compared to 2023, these figures reflect increases of 1 percent, 5 percent, and respective declines of 6 and 8 percent.

Overall, the air transport sector's continued expansion aligns with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals of enhancing connectivity, supporting tourism growth, and diversifying the national economy.

Arab News