Saudi Arabia saw a 26 per cent increase in air traffic as it transported a record 112m passengers last year.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) announced that the Kingdom’s air transport sector achieved remarkable growth in 2023.
Passenger traffic reached a record-breaking 112m, reflecting a significant 26 per cent increase compared to 2022 and exceeding pre-pandemic levels (2019) by more than 8 per cent.
Saudi air traffic
This robust performance underscores the successful recovery of the transportation sector from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
GACA’s air traffic performance report reveals a corresponding rise in flight activity.
The Kingdom’s airports witnessed approximately 815,000 flight movements in 2023, representing a 16 per cent increase over the previous year.
International travel experienced a surge, with passenger numbers reaching approximately 61m and flight movements exceeding 394,000.
King Abdulaziz International Airport emerged as the nation’s busiest hub, averaging 30 flights per hour.
Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport followed closely with a rate of 27 flights per hour, while King Fahd International Airport placed third with 11 flights per hour.
Domestic travel also displayed a positive trajectory. Passenger volume on domestic routes climbed to 51m, facilitated by over 421,000 domestic flights departing from various airports across the Kingdom.
Air cargo transportation in Saudi Arabia witnessed a modest but steady increase of more than 7 per cent in 2023, with a total volume exceeding 918,000 tons compared to 854,000 tons in 2022.
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