King Salman International Airport (KSIA) in Riyadh is entering a new phase of development as construction advances on its third runway, preparations continue for a new passenger terminal, and additional airside infrastructure packages move through the procurement process.
Construction has officially begun on the airport’s 4,200-metre third runway, a key component of the KSIA master plan aimed at expanding operational capacity and supporting long-term growth in passenger and cargo traffic. The project is being delivered by a joint venture comprising FCC Construcción of Spain and Saudi Arabia’s Al-Mabani General Contractors.
According to King Salman International Airport, the new runway will increase aircraft handling capacity from 65 to 85 aircraft movements per hour once associated operational enhancements are completed. The runway also incorporates multiple access taxiways designed to improve aircraft movement and reduce congestion on the airfield.
The airport’s expansion programme is also progressing on the passenger terminal front. Procurement activities are advancing for Terminal 6, with construction expected to commence during 2026 as part of the airport’s broader development programme. Several international contracting consortiums have reportedly entered early contractor engagement stages for terminal works, reflecting strong market interest in one of Saudi Arabia’s flagship aviation projects.
In parallel, additional infrastructure packages covering taxiways, aircraft aprons, fuel systems and supporting airside facilities are moving through various stages of tendering and procurement, creating new opportunities for engineering, construction and specialist aviation contractors.
King Salman International Airport, a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company, is one of the Kingdom’s largest infrastructure developments and a cornerstone of Saudi Vision 2030. Built on the site of the existing King Khalid International Airport, the completed development will feature six runways, multiple passenger terminals, logistics facilities, residential and leisure assets across an area of approximately 57 square kilometres. The airport is designed to handle 100 million passengers annually by 2030, with capacity increasing to 185 million passengers by 2050, while also processing up to 3.5 million tonnes of cargo each year.
The advancing programme reinforces Saudi Arabia’s continued investment in aviation infrastructure as it expands Riyadh’s role as a regional and global air transport hub, with further contract awards expected as additional construction packages are released.
Sources: King Salman International Airport, FCC Construcción, Passenger Terminal Today.