Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz International Airport smashes passenger record with 50m travellers in 2025

King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah has recorded a historic 50 million passengers in 2025, the highest annual total ever achieved by an airport in Saudi Arabia since the launch of civil aviation in the Kingdom.

The milestone places the airport among the world’s mega airports by passenger volume and reflects its rapid transformation into a major regional hub and national gateway connecting Saudi Arabia with international destinations.

The achievement highlights the airport’s growing role in supporting tourism, religious travel and economic diversification, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. As the primary gateway to the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdulaziz International Airport plays a central role in facilitating the movement of pilgrims, Umrah performers and international visitors, while also enhancing the overall travel experience.

To mark the occasion, Jeddah Airports Company celebrated the arrival of the airport’s 50 millionth passenger. The traveller, a French national arriving from Paris on a Saudia flight, was visiting Jeddah to take part in a sports tournament hosted in the city. She was welcomed by Jeddah Airports Company leadership and presented with a commemorative gift.

Jeddah Airports Company chief executive, Eng. Mazen Johar said the milestone reflected both operational strength and long-term ambition. “Reaching 50 million passengers reflects the airport’s high operational readiness and marks a pivotal milestone in preparations to double this figure in the coming years,” he said.

Johar added that the achievement was the result of sustained institutional support and close coordination across the aviation sector.

Supporting Saudi tourism objectives

He noted that the record would not have been possible without the backing and guidance of the Kingdom’s leadership, as well as the continued oversight of the Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, the chairman of the General Authority of Civil Aviation and the chief executive of Matarat Holding. He also highlighted the contribution of partners working across the airport ecosystem to deliver quality services for passengers and visitors.

King Abdulaziz International Airport has undergone significant development in recent years, with expanded terminal capacity, upgraded facilities and improved operational efficiency helping to accommodate rising passenger volumes. These investments have strengthened Jeddah’s position as a strategic aviation hub linking Asia, Africa and Europe.

The passenger milestone comes amid strong growth in Saudi Arabia’s tourism and aviation sectors, driven by new international routes, major events and expanding leisure and religious travel. Authorities have repeatedly pointed to aviation as a cornerstone of economic diversification, supporting jobs, connectivity and global engagement.

With passenger numbers now at record levels, Jeddah Airports Company has signalled that future expansion and service enhancements will remain a priority as the airport prepares for further growth in the years ahead.