Move over, ordinary airports, Riyadh is plotting something massive. When the King Salman International Airport was first announced, it sounded like an aviation dreamland. Now, it’s shaping up to be the gold standard for travel in the region, and it’s only getting bolder with three new terminals.
3 New Terminals Coming To King Salman International Airport
#KSIADC has awarded DP contracts to #Parsons to develop critical infrastructure at King Salman International Airport, including runways, taxiways, parking areas, control towers, and advanced transport networks. A strategic step toward making Riyadh a global aviation hub. pic.twitter.com/c5NAiovLJ9
— King Salman International Airport (@KSIA) May 13, 2025
By 2030, King Salman International Airport aims to welcome up to 120 million travellers annually. Fast forward to 2050, and that number shoots up to 180 million passengers and 3.5 million tonnes of cargo. It’s building the future of global travel, one runway at a time.
And guess who’s building it? Bechtel, the global engineering powerhouse, is handling the development of three new terminals. First, there’s a terminal for commercial airlines, perfect for your next long-haul adventure. Then comes Terminal 6, which adds even more capacity for future growth. And for the high-flyers among us, a third terminal will cater exclusively to private aviation. Yes, it’ll even include aircraft maintenance facilities.
It’s one of the most exciting and important aviation developments happening in the world right now.
Culture, Cargo, and Cutting-Edge Design
If you thought this was just about size, think again. King Salman International Airport will span an enormous 57 square kilometres. To put it in perspective, that’s six parallel runways and room for a small city. The architecture? Jaw-dropping. Foster + Partners, the same firm behind some of the world’s most iconic structures, is leading the design. The goal? Think terminals infused with cultural identity, and your airport layover might just turn into a cultural trip.
The design will also include a multi-use real estate space, so whether you’re flying in, flying out, or just grabbing coffee, expect something immersive. From local art to traditional motifs, this airport promises more than travel
With three new terminals, world-class design, and record-breaking goals, King Salman International Airport is redefining what the future of air travel looks like. So next time you hear someone say airports are just stopovers, send them to Riyadh. By 2030, it may be the place where every journey wants to begin.
Cover Image Courtesy: King Salman International Airport/X
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