Saudi Arabia’s Airports Handle 128 Million Passengers in 2024, Marking Major Milestone Under Vision 2030

Riyadh, April 27 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia’s airports handled 128 million passengers in 2024, marking a 45.8% increase since the launch of Vision 2030 in 2016, according to the Kingdom’s latest annual transport report.

Over the past year, airports across the Kingdom operated 905,000 flights and managed 1.2 million tonnes of cargo, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s rapid growth as an emerging global logistics and aviation hub.

Strengthening the aviation and logistics sectors is a core objective of Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s strategic roadmap to transform itself into a leading center for business, tourism, and innovation by the end of this decade.

“Saudi Arabia is transforming its transport ecosystem, positioning itself as a global logistics and aviation hub by 2030,” the report, published by Arab News, stated.

As part of these efforts, more than 60 new air routes were launched in 2024 through the Air Connectivity Programme, with 12 new international airlines beginning operations across Saudi cities. Since its establishment in 2021, the programme has expanded global air links, enhancing Saudi Arabia’s standing in the international aviation sector.

Innovation in air travel also took flight in 2024, as Saudi Arabia debuted the region’s first autonomous air taxi pilot project during the Hajj season. Designed to ease the transport of pilgrims between holy sites and to support emergency response operations, the pilot represents a major leap for the Kingdom’s smart mobility initiatives. Last year also saw Saudi authorities grant the first operational license for drones specializing in cleaning building facades.

Saudi Arabia’s rail sector has similarly seen impressive progress. In 2024, the national rail network transported 13 million passengers, a 22% increase compared to the previous year, while freight movement reached 28 million tonnes, supporting efforts to promote integrated and sustainable transport systems.

“These developments are reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a regional leader in integrated, sustainable transport, supporting both economic growth and improved quality of life,” the report emphasized.

Among the major achievements of the past year, the Kingdom officially launched the Riyadh Metro, one of the world’s largest urban transit systems. Spanning six lines and 176 kilometers, the network is designed to accommodate 3.6 million passengers daily. In its first week of operation alone, the Riyadh Metro transported 1.9 million passengers.

The Riyadh Metro forms a key part of Vision 2030’s initiatives aimed at reducing congestion in the capital and significantly improving residents’ quality of life, while boosting the Kingdom’s overall economic competitiveness on the global stage.