Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah airport sets national record with 53.4m passengers

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz International Airport has reached a historic milestone after handling 53.4m passengers in a single year, the highest figure ever recorded by an airport in the Kingdom, placing it among the world’s largest aviation hubs by passenger traffic.

The achievement underscores the growing role of King Abdulaziz International Airport as a regional hub and national gateway, connecting Saudi Arabia with global destinations while supporting tourism, pilgrimage traffic and economic diversification under Saudi Vision 2030.

In addition to record passenger numbers, the airport handled 310,000 flights over the year and processed 60.4m pieces of baggage, representing a 12 per cent increase compared to 2024.

Operations also included the handling of 9.57 million Zamzam water bottles and 2,968 cargo flights, highlighting the scale and complexity of airport activity.

These figures reflect the airport’s operational transformation and its growing importance in facilitating the movement of visitors and pilgrims, while delivering an enhanced travel experience.

Saudi transport record

Mazen Johar, CEO of Jeddah Airports Company, said reaching 53.4m passengers demonstrates the airport’s high level of operational readiness and represents a pivotal milestone as it prepares for the possibility of doubling passenger numbers in the coming years.

He noted that the achievement was enabled by the guidance of Saudi leadership and continued support from the Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, the President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, and the Chief Executive Officer of MATARAT Holding Company.

Johar said King Abdulaziz International Airport continues to strengthen its position as a leading aviation hub through ongoing expansion, increased capacity and improved services.

These efforts support national aviation programme objectives and align with Saudi Vision 2030.

He also expressed appreciation to partners from across government and the private sector for their collaborative role in delivering services that contributed to the airport’s record-breaking performance.