King Salman Airport and Riyadh Air

At a glance

King Salman International Airport and Riyadh Air at a glance

Airport area: About 57 sq km, built around King Khalid International Airport
Runways: Six planned
Capacity: About 120 million passengers a year by 2030, 185 million by 2050
Design: Foster + Partners, with Jacobs
Riyadh Air: First commercial flight June 10, 2026, Riyadh to London Heathrow
Airport opening: To be confirmed

King Salman International Airport

Announced in 2022, King Salman International Airport will grow out of today's King Khalid International Airport, north of Riyadh. Its plan includes six parallel runways, new terminals, a private aviation terminal and an airport city of logistics, homes, shops and leisure, designed to run on renewable energy.

It is built to serve Riyadh's growth through Expo 2030 and the 2034 World Cup and beyond. Construction is under way in phases; the opening date of the new terminals is To be confirmed.

Riyadh Air

Riyadh Air, owned by the Public Investment Fund, took off on June 10, 2026 with a flight from Riyadh to London Heathrow on the Boeing 787-9. Since then it has added Jeddah, Dubai, Cairo, Madrid and Manchester, with plans for more than 100 destinations by 2030.

The airline is built around a digital-first experience and Saudi hospitality, and it will be the home carrier of King Salman International Airport. US routes have not yet been announced. Compare it with the region's best in Middle East airlines in first and business class.

Status at a glance

Project	Status	Notes
Riyadh Air	Open	Flying since June 10, 2026
Riyadh Air US routes	To be confirmed	Watch riyadhair.com
King Salman International Airport, first phase	Under construction	Opening: To be confirmed
Full airport build-out	Planned	Target capacity 185 million passengers by 2050

Flying to Riyadh

Flying to Riyadh from the US today

Saudia flies nonstop to Riyadh and Jeddah from several US cities, and the Gulf airlines connect through Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi. For private travel, see private jet charter.

For investors

Major airports anchor growth around them. North Riyadh, between the airport, the Expo 2030 site and New Murabba, is one of the capital's most watched areas. See our Saudi Arabia Luxury Real Estate and Premium Residency guide and Saudi Vision 2030 and the giga-projects.

Questions about the airport

Questions about the airport and Riyadh Air

When did Riyadh Air start flying?

June 10, 2026, with Riyadh to London Heathrow.

Does Riyadh Air fly to the US?

Not yet. US routes are To be confirmed.

When will King Salman International Airport open?

It is under construction in phases; the opening date is To be confirmed.

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King Salman International Airport and Riyadh Air