Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd International Airport created another milestone in 2024 by reporting a 15% annual increase in passenger traffic in 2024, reaching 12 million, according to official statistics.
As per the Dammam Airports Co, the managing and developing firm of the facility, the Eastern Province-based airport achieved this milestone between January and mid-December 2024, adding that it handled over 99,000 flights during the same period, reflecting a 5% growth compared to 2023.
“The airport also set new daily records for the number of passengers, surpassing 50,000 in a single day, a new peak for daily traffic since it started operations. On June 13, the airport reached a record daily air traffic volume, with 374 flights operated on the day,” the Saudi Press Agency stated.
This development aligns well with the Kingdom’s aviation goals, including tripling annual passenger numbers to 330 million, expanding connectivity to over 250 destinations from its 29 airports, and increasing air freight capacity to 4.5 million tons of cargo annually by 2030.
“Breaking the 12 million passengers record is part of the series of successes accomplished by the KFIA’s operating and managing company, aligning with the goals of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, represented by the National Aviation Strategy,” Saudi Press Agency noted.
Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation sector experienced a 17% annual surge to 62 million passengers in the first half of 2024, amidst increasing domestic and international travel demand.
According to official statements of the General Authority of Civil Aviation issued in July, the period also saw 446,000 flights, reflecting a 12% increase compared to 2023.
Additionally, air cargo traffic through the Kingdom’s airports rose by 41%, reaching 606,000 tons during the same period.
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh led the growth, handling 17.7 million passengers, a 21% year-on-year increase, and 132,000 flights, marking a 15% rise from the previous year.
Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport, on the other hand, recorded 24 million passengers, a 16% increase, and 148,000 flights, showing a 13% rise compared to 2023.