King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has witnessed remarkable growth in passenger traffic during the second quarter of 2023. According to the operational performance report of the Riyadh Airports Company, a total of 7.3 million passengers passed through the airport during this period, compared to 7.1 million in the same period of 2019.

The average daily number of passengers also saw an increase, with over 80,000 passengers recorded compared to 78,000 in 2019, highlighting the growing popularity of the airport.

Not only did the passenger numbers rise, but the number of flights also witnessed a significant increase of 6 percent. Over 51,000 flights were operated in the second quarter of 2023, compared to 48,000 in 2019. This translates to an average of 562 flights per day, up from 531 during the same period in 2019.

The airport's connectivity also expanded, with a 4.6 percent increase in travel destinations accessible from King Khalid International Airport. The airport now offers 90 destinations, including 24 domestic and 66 international destinations, surpassing the 86 destinations available in 2019.

During the quarter, eight new destinations were added, catering to the growing travel demands. The most popular domestic routes included Jeddah, Abha, Madinah, Dammam, and Jazan, while international routes to Dubai, Cairo, Amman, and Doha remained the busiest.

Furthermore, the number of commercial airlines providing transportation and freight services also witnessed significant growth, increasing by 30 percent from 39 companies in 2019 to 51 in 2023. The cargo sector at the airport experienced robust growth as well, with a 43 percent increase in the total tonnage handled, reaching 83,000 tons compared to 58,000 tons during the same period in 2019.

Musad Abdulaziz Aldaood, CEO of Riyadh Airports Company, commented on the report, highlighting the increasing regional and international prominence of Riyadh. He emphasized the importance of leveraging human, logistical, and technical capabilities to meet the growing passenger demands during peak travel periods.

With the continuous growth and improvements at King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh is further establishing itself as a leading regional aviation hub and a vital gateway connecting Saudi Arabia to the world.