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Riyadh, November 28 - Saudi Arabia has unveiled ambitious plans to construct a massive new passenger terminal at King Salman International Airport (IATA: DWD - ICAO: OEDM) in Riyadh, designed to handle 40 million passengers annually and cement the kingdom’s position as a global aviation hub. The groundbreaking project, part of the broader King Salman International Airport megaproject, represents one of the largest airport expansions currently underway worldwide and aligns directly with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal of transforming Riyadh into a top-tier international transit and tourism gateway.
The new terminal, expected to span several million square meters, will feature state-of-the-art facilities including advanced biometric check-in systems, expansive retail and dining zones, premium lounges, and direct connections to the Riyadh Metro network. Once completed, it will boost the airport’s total annual capacity toward 120 million passengers in its first phase, with long-term plans reaching 185 million passengers, rivaling the world’s busiest airports such as Dubai International and Istanbul Airport. The terminal will serve both domestic and international traffic, with a strong emphasis on accommodating the rapidly growing number of pilgrims traveling to Makkah and Madinah.
Construction of the 40-million-passenger terminal is already progressing under the supervision of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and Riyadh Airports Company, with international design and engineering firms collaborating on the project. Sustainability remains a core focus: the terminal aims for LEED Gold certification through solar energy integration, water recycling systems, and extensive use of natural light. The facility will also incorporate Saudi cultural elements and hospitality traditions into its architecture, offering travelers a distinctive sense of place upon arrival.
Set for phased completion over the coming years, the new terminal at King Salman International Airport will dramatically enhance Saudi Arabia’s connectivity to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. By significantly expanding capacity and modernizing infrastructure, the kingdom is positioning Riyadh as a strategic super-connector, supporting surging tourism targets of 150 million visits annually by 2030 and reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a premier global destination and transit point.
