Saudi Arabia's busiest hub serving the capital Riyadh.
Opened
1983
Location
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
King Khalid International Airport (RUH) is the primary international gateway to Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. It is one of the largest airports in the world by land area, covering approximately 225 square kilometers, and serves as the main hub for Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) and flyadeal.
The airport handles tens of millions of passengers annually and has undergone significant expansion as part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative to boost tourism and connectivity. A major new terminal, Terminal 5, has been developed to dramatically increase capacity.
Located about 35 kilometers north of central Riyadh, the airport offers connections to destinations across the Middle East, Asia, Europe, Africa, and North America.
Terminals
The airport has multiple terminals including Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4, with a large new Terminal 5 under phased opening to significantly expand overall passenger capacity.
Getting to & from
Ground transport options include taxis, ride-hailing services such as Uber and Careem, hotel shuttles, and the Riyadh Metro, which has a direct link to the airport.
Airlines here
Saudia and its low-cost subsidiary flyadeal are the primary carriers based at RUH, with numerous international airlines including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Lufthansa also operating services.
Notable facts
›One of the largest airports in the world by total land area at approximately 225 square kilometers.
›Opened in 1983 and designed by Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum (HOK).
›Serves as the primary hub for Saudia, Saudi Arabia's national carrier.
›Terminal 5 is a major new facility being developed as part of Saudi Vision 2030 expansion plans.
›The airport features a distinctive royal terminal used for state and VIP arrivals.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
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King Khalid International Airport is an international airport located about 35 kilometres (22 mi) north of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This airport consists of four passenger terminals with eight aero-bridges each, a mosque, and parking facilities for 11,600 vehicles. It includes a "Royal Terminal" designated for use by government officials, state guests, and the Saudi royal family. The airport has one of the world's tallest air traffic control towers, and two parallel runways, each 4,260 metres (13,980 ft) in length. It is one of the busiest airports in the Middle East. The airport is owned and operated by the state-owned Riyadh Airports Company.