The announcement comes as the Saudi capital undergoes rapid development and positions its aviation sector for significant expansion.
The plan forms one of KKIA’s most extensive development initiatives to date, reflecting a comprehensive operational and organisational upgrade aligned with RAC’s strategic vision for the future of Saudi airports.
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh
A central component of the transformation is the reorganisation of operations across KKIA’s existing terminals, whose original designs have evolved since the airport opened more than 40 years ago.
Under the updated arrangement:
- Terminal 5 will be designated for international flights operated by foreign airlines
- Terminals 3 and 4 will be allocated for domestic flights
- Terminals 1 and 2 will continue to serve international flights operated by national airlines
The reorganisation is expected to increase terminal capacity, simplify movement between terminals and reduce waiting times between flights, ultimately improving the overall traveller experience.
RAC noted that the exact date of activation will be confirmed once all airport sectors and airlines complete operational readiness checks.
Saudi aviation goals
Riyadh Airports Company, working in coordination with the General Authority of Civil Aviation and MATARAT Holding, said the transformation is part of a broader strategy aimed at improving passenger experience, enhancing operational efficiency and raising service quality across KKIA.
The plan also aligns with national aviation objectives, strengthening Saudi Arabia’s regional and international leadership in the sector.
It supports Saudi Vision 2030 by developing air transport infrastructure and reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics hub connecting three continents through advanced, world-class airport facilities.
Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector has achieved new record-breaking milestones, with 103.1m passengers travelling through the Kingdom’s airports and total flight movements reaching 713,000 between January and September 2025, according to the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).