Major airport set to become the world’s biggest reveals new terminal welcoming millions more passengers
AN AIRPORT in Saudi Arabia opened its newly-expanded terminal earlier this week, meaning it’s one step closer to becoming the world’s biggest.
On January 8, King Khalid International Airport completed the first phase of its Terminal 1 overhaul.
The revamped terminal will feature many new facilities, including 38 check-in counters, 10 self-service kiosks, 26 passport control counters, and 10 automated gates.
Terminal 1 now also has 24 boarding gates, 40 passport control counters in the arrivals area, and 11 self-service gates that have been designed to help passenger flow.
Commercial spaces, circulation systems, energy efficiency measures, and enhanced safety protocols have also been revamped under the expansion plans.
The renovations to Terminal 1 will see capacity at the airport increase from three million passengers per year to seven million passengers.
At an opening of the terminal revamp, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, Saleh Al-Jasser, said: “This expansion not only boosts the terminal’s operational capacity but also reinforces Riyadh’s role as a global hub for international travel and trade.”
The announcement comes after both Terminals 3 and 4 were expanded at the airport back in 2022.
Improvement work is also taking place at Terminal 2, which will see airport capacity increase to 14 million.
King Khalid International Airport will form part of King Salman International Airport.
When it opens in 2030, King Salman International Airport will become the biggest airport in the world.
The huge new airport in Riyadh is slated to feature six runways.
It will also be able to handle 120 million passengers each year, with this number rising to 185million by 2050.
The huge new travel hub will be spread across over 57 square kilometres (22 square miles).
Roughly, 12 square kilometres will be dedicated to recreational facilities and a retail space.
British Airways operates direct routes from the UK to Riyadh, with one-way fares from £627.
Despite the ongoing conflict in Yemen, which borders Saudi Arabia, destinations such as Riyadh remain safe for travel.
Travel is only advised against along a 10km stretch of the border between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, according to the UK Government website.
Three new airports opening in Europe
Luis de Camoes Airport, Portugal
Lisbon will open its new Luis de Camoes Airport by 2034.
The £7billion airport will replace the current Lisbon Airport and welcome 100million passengers by 2050.
Kastelli International Airport, Greece
Kastelli International Airport will become one of the largest in the country when it opens in Crete.
The new airport will welcome up to 10million passengers when it opens in 2027.
New Bodø Airport, Norway
The current Bodø Airport will be replaced by the new £546million New Bodø Airport.
It hopes to open by 2029, welcoming up to 2.3million passengers a year.
The UK government has approved plans to expand London City Airport.
London Stansted Airport has revealed plans to welcome another 20million in the next 16 years, ahead of a £1.1billion renovation.