Riyadh: A new airport is coming to Saudi Arabia to join the list of the largest airports in the world. Crown Prince and Prime Minister and Chairman of the Economic and Development Affairs Council (CEDA) and Public Investment Fund (PIF), Amir Mohammed bin Salman, announced the master plan for King Salman International Airport on Monday, which will become a hub of Riyadh.
The proposed airport will facilitate international travel to and from the Saudi capital, strengthen Riyadh’s position as a global hub for the movement of goods, and stimulate trade and tourism. The airport will be transformed into a bridge that will connect East and West. The airport project aims to make Riyadh one of the top 10 urban economies in the world.
The airport project is in line with Saudi Arabia’s “Vision” plan to transform Riyadh into a city with a population of 1.5 to 2 million by 2030. Six new runways will be built in parallel with the airport’s existing runways. King Khalid Airport and new terminals will be built adjacent to existing terminals. The new airport, named after the current ruler, will be one of the largest in the world with an area of about 57 square kilometres. The 12 sq km area will house ancillary airport facilities, accommodation and entertainment facilities, retail outlets, cargo transfer systems and real estate offices.
(Crown Emir Mohammed bin Salman making an announcement regarding King Salman International Airport)
The airport will benefit from 12 crore passengers annually by 2030 and 18.5 crore passengers by 2050. The airport will have a cargo handling capacity of 35 lakh tons. Hassle-free travel, world-class and efficient airport operations will be the hallmarks. The airport was designed with Riyadh’s distinctive character and Saudi culture in mind to ensure a unique travel experience for Saudi visitors and transit passengers. The airport will achieve “Lead Platinum” accreditation for incorporating cutting-edge green initiatives. Additionally, the airport will run on renewable energy.
Officials expect the new airport to contribute Rs 27,000 crore annually to the country in non-oil revenue, in line with ‘Vision 2030’ targets. It is also expected to create 10,30,00 direct and indirect jobs. The announcement of the airport by the Crown Prince’s chairman is also part of the Public Investment Fund’s efforts to diversify the economy.
