Saudi Arabia’s Air Transport Sector Achieves Record Growth in 2024, Surpassing Pre-Pandemic Levels
Riyadh, February 20, 2025 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia’s air transport sector recorded unprecedented growth in 2024, with over 128 million passengers passing through the Kingdom’s airports—59 million on domestic flights and 69 million on international routes. This marks a 15% increase from 2023 and a 25% rise compared to pre-pandemic levels, signaling a full recovery from the impacts of COVID-19 and a new era of expansion in the Kingdom’s aviation industry.
Flight Operations and Air Connectivity on the Rise
According to the Air Traffic 2024 Report released by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), the total number of flights across Saudi airports grew by 11% year-over-year, reaching 905,000 flights—474,000 domestic and 431,000 international. The air connectivity index also saw a 16% increase, with Saudi Arabia now connected to more than 170 destinations worldwide, reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a global hub for air travel.
Air Cargo Growth and Major Airport Performance
Saudi Arabia’s air cargo sector also witnessed exceptional expansion, surging 34% in 2024 to exceed 1.2 million tons. The majority of cargo operations were handled by the Kingdom’s three largest airports:
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh: 573,000 tons
King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah: 461,000 tons
King Fahd International Airport in Dammam: 140,000 tons
The four main airports in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah accounted for 82% of the country’s total air traffic, reflecting their growing role in the region’s aviation landscape.
Record-Breaking Hajj Travel and Global Route Rankings
The 2024 Hajj season (May 9 to July 21) saw a significant surge in air traffic, with 1.5 million pilgrims arriving in Saudi Arabia, representing 40% of all international travelers during that period.
Meanwhile, according to OAG, a leading global travel data provider, Saudi Arabia’s air routes achieved notable milestones:
The Jeddah-Riyadh route saw the largest increase in capacity globally among domestic routes in 2024.
The Cairo-Jeddah route ranked as the second busiest international route worldwide, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s strategic importance in global aviation.
Saudi Arabia’s Aviation Sector Poised for Continued Expansion
The remarkable growth of Saudi Arabia’s air transport sector reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to expanding air connectivity, modernizing infrastructure, and supporting economic diversification in line with Vision 2030. With record-breaking passenger numbers, increased cargo operations, and enhanced global route rankings, Saudi Arabia is reinforcing its position as a key player in the international aviation industry.