Are you planning to go on a tour destination and want to know about the airports in Saudi Arabia to grasp a better sense of travel? Don’t worry your required information is available here with complete details.
How Many Airports in Saudi Arabia?
How Many Airports in Saudi Arabia? The answer to this question is; As of now, there are 35 active airports in Saudi Arabia among which 7 are known to act for international flights while the category goes on to domestic, military, and regional airports
If you are a tourist you will most likely be required to know about the ones that carry international flights but if you are a Saudi national you should know about the regional and domestic airports as well. We will be guiding you about the major airports in Saudi Arabia
After knowing how many Airports in Saudi Arabia, you can find detailed information about all these airports.
1)- King Fahd International Airport
King Fahd international airport is located in Dammam and is also called Dammam airport. The specific location for this airport is 20 km northwest of Dammam. If we compare all airports in Saudi Arabia, this airport holds the title of being the largest airport in Saudi Arabia.
There is some history to King Fahd international airport as it was built by the end of 1990. Although at that time the only infrastructure was constructed the airport act as more than just a storage unit for the allied forces during the cold war. Additionally, the US army also established many units in this place before the war. The US army used it a second time when they deployed their forces in Iraq.
By November 1999, the airport was opened for public use and international flights were managed through it. The construction of Dammam airport was not initiated until 1983. The architects were Yamasaki associates.
Location of King Fahd International Airport
An amazing fact about King Fahd international airport is that it hosts the shortest international flight to Bahrain and also hosts the longest domestic flight to Tabuk. The airport has two major entrances that connect it to the rest of the city. One happens to be a northern exit that leads to Qatif. Qatif acts as a four-lane highway.
The terminal of the Dammam airport is divided into six stories. Among these six, three are responsible for passenger processing while fourth is boarding, and the third and sixth levels are for arrival and departures. The total area that covers passenger terminals is about 327,000-meter square. Some statistics also show that King Fahd international airport is the biggest airport in the world as it mentions the area to be 77600 hectares. In this way, it is also one of the most beautiful airports in Saudi Arabia.
Services available at King Fahd Airport
Another thing about King Fahd international airport is that the stores of this airport are actually duty-free. Additionally, there is an area for gift centers, cafeterias, and restaurants. There are still plans to open indoor playgrounds to facilitate travelers more.
The mosque of the Dammam airport can easily host 2000 people at a time and access to it is simple as well through an open bridge. The mosque is constructed keeping in mind the traditions and culture that the Muslim mosque depicts.
The infrastructure of Dammam Airport
King Fahd international airport currently has two runways and both are active. Both runways go over 4000m and the distance between the two runways is approximately 2146m. This ensures a better and more secure flight control system. There are two helipads and a cargo area.
The cargo area of Dammam airport can easily store the bulk of products up to 93,000 tons. It can host aircraft like Boeing 747. The area allocated to car parking in this airport cover almost 1902540 sq ft.
This parking area can easily host more than 4000 cars at a time. Open car parking is also available for extra vehicles.
2)- King Khalid International Airport
King Khalid international airport is also known as Riyadh airport and is in the second position among the airports in Saudi Arabia. It is located in the north of Riyadh. The contract for this airport was given to HOK and Bechtel both of these companies assisted each other in the building of the design of this airport.
This Riyadh airport consists of a total of five terminals for passengers only 3 of which are currently in use. Each of the terminals has 8 aerobridges. There is a mosque present in the airport along with a car parking that can host over 11,600 cars at a time.
There are two parallel runways that occupy an area of 4260 meters. This airport also holds the title for being the 2nd largest airport in Saudi Arabia.
Another special thing about this airport is the fact that it is an alternate landing site for NASA’s space shuttle. Currently, Riyadh Airport Company manages this airport. Riyadh airport was opened for operations back in 1983 and was under Riyadh Airbase but due to an excess of domestic and international flights, there were some changes were made to the airport.
Terminals of King Khalid international airport
The first four terminals of King Khalid international airport were built back in 1982 while in 2016 additional 5th terminal was made. Terminal 1 of Riyadh airport is for almost all international flights however it doesn’t accommodate members of flyers. Terminal 2 is for Sky Team members and the Flynas airline as well. The third terminal is not working for now due to some construction changes.
Terminal 5 which was established in 2016 is active and hosts both domestic and the Flynas flights. The 4 terminals are connected with each other by linking buildings. There is also a complex which hosts banks and restaurants as well as some cafeterias. Irish airport operator handles terminal 5 privately and facilitates almost 12 million passengers annually.
Mosque of King Khalid Airport / Riyadh Airport
The mosque of King Khalid airport can host about 5000 worshippers. It can accommodate 5000 people at a time another 5000 people can say a prayer in the plaza outside the mosque. There is a Quranic library located within the premises of Riyadh airport mosque.
Design and Safety
The King Khalid international airport has over 225000 trees and vines which depict the modern architectural design. The plants that are selected can bear extreme weather conditions according to the environment of the region which is mostly hot and humid. In addition to this, the airport has five firehouses with well-trained firefighters. Among this, car parking also goes over three levels and gives a huge parking space. The parking also has escalators and elevators for visitors so that they can access their vehicles easily.
A metro system is also under construction that will be able to carry the passengers to the center of the city so as to further facilitate the passengers.
3)- King Abdulaziz International Airport Jeddah
King Abdulaziz International airport is also called Jeddah airport. It can be classified as one of the busiest airports in Saudi Arabia. This is the third-largest airport in Saudi Arabia. There is a special terminal in the airport that only hosts Muslim pilgrims. The terminal is so spacious that it can host over 80,000 passengers at the same time.
This airport takes up a total of 15 square kilometers which approximately makes up to be 5.8 square miles. Also, the airport like the other two contain a royal terminal that is used by the Royal Saudi air force. The royal terminal of Jeddah airport also houses the staff members. Site construction began back in 1974. This is one of the most beautiful airports in Saudi Arabia.
Terminals of King Abdulaziz International Airport
The hajj terminal of Jeddah airport received Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1983 and this is due to the fact that the airport is environment-friendly and can host a lot of people that too without making them feel uncomfortable.
The only Saudis have been using the south terminal of the King Abdulaziz International airport. In 2007 the Flynas and Sama airlines also got permission to use it. Currently, Indonesia, Korea, and Kenya airways are using this terminal.
Expansion
The three-stage development of the Jeddah airport started early in 2006. It was supposed to have an official opening this year but the authorities are currently planning an expansion for the airport so that it may accommodate 80 million passengers a year. This expansion consists of a new terminal building and an air control tower. Alongside this, the airport will also renew its guidance systems and will improve its drainage systems.
A rail project is yet under construction that will act as a good source of transportation during hajj and other days. This King Abdulaziz International airport is famous for its outstanding facilities which it provides to its guests every year.
The security system of this airport is precise as well. Like all the major airports of Saudi Arabia, this airport also has a gift center, restaurants, and cafeterias. This airport is thus well-reputed for a reason. However, the expansion process might take some years to complete.
There are three runways present in this Jeddah airport which are significantly larger and provide more space for landing and flying a certain aircraft.
Although the airports seem a bit overcrowded during specific times of the year it is still able to support huge crowds. Paramedics too are present in the airport to ensure the health and safety of the passenger. The airport, however, remains under construction so as to facilitate more people.
4)- Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Airport Madinah
Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Airport is in Madinah so people call it Madinah airport. It has importance among airports in Saudi Arabia. This airport is famous for focusing on domestic flights but also conducts international ones as well.
Madinah airport also carries charter flights during the seasons of hajj and umrah. Muslims who are in Saudi Arabia to perform pilgrimage can only enter through Jeddah airport or Madinah airport. It is the fourth busiest airport in Saudi Arabia.
The runways of this airport are mediocre and are not that huge. The two runways take about 10,000-14000ft each. Much like a smaller airport this airport does not have much to offer and only hosts a small number of people.
5)- Al-Ahsa International airport
Al Ahsa international airport is located in Hofuf a city which is located in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. The airport currently holds the capacity to facilitate a number of 200,000 passengers per year.
The airport was first known to conduct domestic flights but started conducting international ones in 2011 as it went through some changes that year. There’s a seasonal chartered flight to Baku and the other one is to Dubai. The airport still, however, conducts domestic flights as well.
This airport doesn’t have the capacity to host people like Jeddah Airport does. The area covered by the airport is small as well and the runways only take about 10,039 ft. Currently, the airport is under the supervision of the government.
6)- Yanbu Airport
Yanbu airport is located in Yanbu and offers both domestic and international flights to travelers. So it is one of the international airports in Saudi Arabia. The government upgraded it to support international flights back in 2009.
It is mostly classified as a regional airport and has air bridges that connect the passengers to the aircraft and which is a plus point for the regional airports which are present in Saudi Arabia.
There are however only two air bridges 1 and 2. The passenger terminal of Yanbu airport is relatively small and hosts almost 500 people per hour which is significantly lower than Jeddah International airport. The renovation processes of this airport lead to control towers, cargo facilities, etc. This airport allocated a little space to the mall and cafeterias as well. The exit of the airport is also present on the ground floor. You can easily find car rentals once you are on the ground floor.
7)- Prince Nayef Bin Abdulaziz Airport
Prince Nayef Bin Abdulaziz Airport is located in Gassim province. It usually carries out domestic flights of Hail and Riyadh. At this moment the airport hosts 15 airlines that conduct 15 destinations in 5 countries.
The runway of this airport is relatively small and has a length of about 9843 ft. General Authority of Civil Aviation established this airport back in 1964.
This airport is not so big and does not host many individuals. However, it acts as a central hub in Saudi Arabia, so has significance. Much like the other airports in Saudi Arabia, there are smaller cafeterias and restaurants in it. It also hosts smaller gift centers and car rental offices so as to make the commute for the passenger easy.
Basic security measures are present at the airport and the trained firefighter crew is also present so as to ensure safe travel for the passengers. Friends, now at the end, we can say that the ”airports in Saudi Arabia” is really a comprehensive topic.
Final Words, How Many Airports in Saudi Arabia?
Friends, you have learned how many airports in Saudi Arabia. Now we recommend checking out these airports just when you land there. You may enjoy their state-of-the-art modern facilities that will surely keep you entertained for a long.
Besides that, if you got some flight delay these airports can serve up to be one of the best spots to wait for your flight or to reschedule them. With new hotels opening you can easily stay close to keep an eye on your delayed flights and can also enjoy shopping for items.
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