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The air transport movement in Saudi Arabia witnessed exceptional growth in 2024, achieving unprecedented record numbers in passenger traffic, which exceeded 128 million travelers across various airports in the Kingdom. This includes 59 million passengers on domestic flights and 69 million on international flights, marking a growth rate of 15% compared to 2023, and an increase of approximately 25% compared to pre-pandemic levels, demonstrating the recovery of the air transport sector in the Kingdom from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) revealed in its air traffic performance report released today that the number of flights across Saudi airports in 2024 reached approximately 905,000, an 11% increase compared to 2023. This includes 474,000 domestic flights and 431,000 international flights.

The scope of air connectivity saw a 16% increase, with Saudi Arabia now linked to over 170 destinations worldwide, with flights departing to and from the Kingdom. Additionally, air cargo witnessed exceptional growth, increasing by 34%, reaching over 1.2 million tons in 2024. Of this, 1.17 million tons were handled by the top three airports, including 573,000 tons at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, 461,000 tons at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, and 140,000 tons at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.

The four main airports in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah accounted for 82% of the total air traffic, reflecting their vital role in the Kingdom's aviation network.

The region also witnessed a significant increase in air traffic during the last Hajj season (May 9 - July 21), with 1.5 million pilgrims arriving for Hajj, representing 40% of the total number of international passengers during that period. According to the British company OAG, which specializes in flight data, the Jeddah-Riyadh route saw the largest increase in capacity globally among domestic routes in 2024, while the Cairo-Jeddah route became the second busiest international route worldwide.

It is worth noting that the General Authority of Civil Aviation is the regulatory body for the air transport sector in Saudi Arabia. It is responsible for setting the sector's executive regulations, overseeing their implementation, and monitoring compliance with relevant authorities. This contributes to enhancing the quality of air transport services and improving the passenger experience. In line with its strategy, GACA is shaping the future of the sector to create a competitive and attractive investment environment, positioning it as a leader in the Middle East and globally, and contributing to the achievement of its objectives to double its capacity by 2030.