The world’s biggest airport set to open in 2030 — here’s a sneak peek

Eleanor Noyce

Published October 22, 2024 3:10pm Updated October 22, 2024 3:11pm

From watching the planes taking off at departures to sampling that pre-flight pint, flying can be a hugely exciting experience.

And, with the world’s largest airport set to open in 2030, aviation enthusiasts now have something new to set their sights on: a mammoth airport with six giant runways to the tune of £23 billion.

King Salman International Airport will be opening in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in seven years’ time and is anticipated to become the biggest airport in the world, serving more people than any other.

Spanning over 57 square kilometres, an impressive 12 square kilometres has reportedly been set aside for retail outlets – so you can shop while you wait to board.

The design of the airport is being overseen by Foster + Partners, a company that has also worked on the Midtown Bus Terminal in New York City and the new Marseille Airport.

It will integrate the current terminals in place at King Khalid International Airport, which has been operational since 1983.

An aerial view of the proposed site for King Salman International Airport — The airport has six runways (Image: Foster and Partners)

It’s projected to create 150,000 new jobs (Image: Foster and Partners)

Things to do in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:

Want to plan ahead of the new airport opening? Here are a few tourist favourites in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:

The National Museum
Al Rajhi Mosque
Riyadh Zoo Monument
Wadi Namar Waterfall
Grenada Mall
Masmak Fortress.

Though the airlines that will operate out of King Salman International Airport have not yet been announced, the construction is set to create approximately 150,000 jobs, from air traffic control operators to baristas.

The new construction is estimated to serve 120 million passengers, with this likely increasing to 185 million by 2050, and is part of a drive to increase tourism in Riyadh.

A sneak peek at the world?s biggest airport set to open in 2030 Foster + Partners has won a competition to design the masterplan for King Salman International Airport which will boost Riyadh?s position as a global logistics hub, stimulate transport, trade and tourism, and act as a bridge linking the East with the West. Luke Fox, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners, said: ?Looking forward to the future, the new King Salman International Airport reimagines the traditional terminal as a single concourse loop, served by multiple entrances. The terminal is very much of its place and connects passengers to the sensory experiences of the city, with natural elements, tempered light and state-of-the-art facilities.? — The project aims to transform Riyadh into a tourist hotspot (Image: Foster and Partners)

‘The airport project is in line with Saudi Arabia’s vision to transform Riyadh to be among the top ten city economies in the world and to support the growth of Riyadh’s population to 15–20 million people by 2030,’ a statement from the Saudi Press Agency read.

The largest airport in the world is currently King Fahd International Airport, also known as Dammam Airport, in Saudi Arabia.

Do we need mega airports like the King Salman International Airport?

Exciting, looking forward to it
Concerned about environmental impact
Impressive but unnecessary

Opened to commercial operations in 1999, it previously served as a US airbase during the Gulf War, now providing connections to 43 destinations.

More than 10 million passengers travel in and out of the airport each year, with 37 airlines operating here. It’s also the third largest airport in Saudi Arabia in terms of passenger volume.

Largest airports in the world:

King Fahd International Airport (DMM) 299 square miles (774 square kilometers) – Saudi Arabia
Denver International Airport (DEN) 53 square miles (137 square kilometers) – Colorado
Istanbul Airport (IST) 29.5 square miles (76 square kilometers) – Istanbul
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) 26 square miles (67 square kilometers) – Texas
Orlando International Airport (MCO) 20 square miles (52 square kilometers) – Florida
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) 18 square miles (47 square kilometers) – Washington
Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) 18 square miles (47 square kilometers) – Beijing
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) 17 square miles (44 square kilometers) – Texas
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) 15 square miles (39 square kilometers) – Shanghai
Cairo International Airport (CAI) 14 square miles (36 square kilometers) – Cairo