Riyadh: The capital of Saudi Arabia, has witnessed significant growth in its air transport sector as the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the Air Transport Statistics Publication 2024, highlighting a remarkable increase in passenger and cargo traffic at the Kingdom’s airports compared to 2023.
The total number of passengers exceeded 128 million, marking a 15% rise from the previous year.
International flight passengers surpassed 69 million, a 14% increase, while domestic flight passengers reached over 59 million, up by 16%.
King Abdulaziz International Airport led in passenger volume with around 49 million travelers and a 14% growth rate, followed by King Khalid International Airport with 37.6 million passengers and an 18% increase, and King Fahd International Airport serving 12.8 million passengers with a 15% rise.
The average daily passenger count for domestic flights was approximately 162,000, while international flights averaged around 189,000 passengers per day.
Air cargo volumes also surged, reaching 1.2 million tons in 2024, a 34% increase from 2023, with March being the peak month handling 123,000 tons.
Cargo distribution included 64,000 tons outbound, 720,000 tons inbound, and 407,000 tons in transit.
The Kingdom’s aircraft fleet expanded to 361, an 11% increase over the previous year, with commercial aviation comprising 258 aircraft, up 12%, including 97 aircraft with capacities exceeding 250 passengers. The general aviation fleet grew by 7% to 103 aircraft.
This annual publication by GASTAT supports the development of Saudi Arabia’s air transport industry by providing accurate data and key indicators on passenger movements, flight operations, and cargo activities across both commercial and general aviation sectors.
The report reflects the Kingdom’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its aviation infrastructure and services, contributing to economic growth and connectivity within the region and beyond.
