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By Amira El-Fekki
Middle East News Reporter
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Saudi Arabia has reportedly moved into the construction phase of its King Salman International Airport project in the capital Riyadh, according to a Saudi-based builder and an architecture news platform.
Newsweek has contacted the airport company via email for comment.
The Context
The new King Salman International Airport is set to become one of the world's largest, spanning roughly 57 square kilometers (22 square miles) with six parallel runways and incorporating the existing King Khalid terminals.
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Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the airport's master-plan in 2022, in line with his Saudi Vision 2030, aimed at positioning Riyadh's role as a global logistics hub for transport, trade, and tourism, and serving as a bridge between East and West. The Saudi leader wants to see the capital rank among the world's top 10 city economies by 2030.
What To Know
Work on the airport has commenced "marking the start of an architectural project of unprecedented scale and ambition," Archup website reported this week.
The airport is developed by King Salman International Airport Development Company (KSIADC), one of the companies owned by the Public Investment Fund, actively implementing dozens of massive construction projects across the kingdom, including the flagship Neom city, which is now the world's largest construction site.
KSIADC has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Center to boost collaboration on infrastructure and project development, the Saudi Press Agency reported Monday.
KSIADC has issued a string of major tenders this year. It has signed delivery-partner and program management agreements, notably Parsons Corporation in May to oversee runway, taxiway and airside infrastructure delivery.
The design was awarded to Foster + Partners in 2022 and U.K.-based global consultancy and construction company Mace was appointed to lead planning and construction services.
"We are perfectly placed to deploy our full service offering and help KSIADC successfully deliver one of the largest airports in the world," Mace Consult CEO Davendra Dabasia said in August 2024.
Saudi's neighbor, the United Arab Emirates is also trying to achieve the title of "world's largest" by expanding and upgrading its Al-Maktoum International Airport, set to replace the existing Dubai International Airport, one of the busiest, globally.
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What People Are Saying
Saudi construction company Icon posted on LinkedIn Monday: "A milestone moment for Saudi aviation! Construction has officially commenced on the King Salman International Airport…This mega-infrastructure underscores Saudi's transformation into a global logistics and travel hub under Vision 2030. We're very excited to support them in their upcoming construction work."
Archup, an online architecture and design platform, wrote in an article on Sunday: "How will such monumental scale translate into cohesive spatial dynamics for travelers? Nevertheless, the project stands as a significant model for merging operational efficiency with environmental aspirations. It adds notable value to the global architectural landscape."
What Happens Next
The airport is projected to accommodate 120 million passengers annually upon completion, scheduled for 2030, rising to 185 million by 2050, with a cargo capacity of 3.5 million tons.
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