All About Riyadh Airport(KKIA), Saudi Arabia

Table of Contents

1. Riyadh Airport The Vision and Ambition
2. The Economics and Passenger and Flight traffic
3. Riyadh Airport Provides Sleeping Pods for Passengers
4. Transfer Between Terminals
5. Services available at all Terminals 1-5
6. Riyadh Airport Terminal 1 
   • Ticketing and Check-In
   • Welcome Lounges
7. Riyadh Airport Terminal 2 
   • Ticketing and Check-In
   • Welcome Lounges
8. Riyadh Airport Terminal 3
9. Riyadh Airport Terminal 4
10. Riyadh Airport Terminal 5,
    • Ticketing and Check-In
    • Welcome Lounges
    • Saudia Al-Fursan Golden Lounge
11. Riyadh Airport Terminal 6

Being a business traveler, I chanced upon an announcement by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to make Riyadh Airport(KKIA) one of the world’s largest airports.

So, I have decided to review where Riyadh Airport stands for its facilities, traveler experience, and business volume.

First, it’s the second-largest airport in Saudi Arabia, with the universal paraphernalia of parking, Car Rental, and Hotels near the airport. There are 6 terminals in the King Khalid International Airport Riyadh.

It has a separate Royal Terminal for VVIPs and five passenger terminals.

Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (RUH) is the 2nd largest airport in Saudi Arabia. The largest airport after the Jeddah airport, although Riyadh is the capital and largest city in Saudi Arabia.

The airport is the hub for Saudia and Flynas.

Riyadh Airport The Vision and Ambition

The King Salman International Airport, 35 kilometers (22 mi) north of the city, will significantly boost the Kingdom’s ambition to become a dominant global trade and tourism destination by 2030.

The Economics and Passenger and Flight traffic

The project incorporates the increasing annual passenger traffic expected to rise from 29 million to 120 million by 2030 and reach 185 million by 2050. Riyadh Airport(KKIA) will contribute $7.18 billion, SR27 billion annually, to Saudi Arabia’s non-oil GDP. 

The Kingdom expects its flight traffic to increase from 211,000 flights annually to more than 1 million.

Riyadh Airport Provides Sleeping Pods for Passengers

Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport now provides sleeping pods for travelers seeking a quick pre-flight nap, per a recent report by the Saudi Press Agency.

These pods, available to 300 passengers daily, feature amenities such as air conditioning, comfortable hotel-style beds, interactive screens, and secure lockers.

Transfer Between Terminals

Moving walkways and a shuttle bus service for Terminal 5 connect the 5 public terminals at Riyadh Airport(KKIA).

Terminals 1 to 4 are inter-connected within the same terminal complex, allowing for easy transfers.

Transferring to Terminal 5 from another terminal requires taking a shuttle bus. The free shuttle service operates at 10-minute intervals.

Services available at all Terminals 1-5

• ATMs
• Sleeping pods for passengers
• Banking services
• Information desk
• Luggage wrapping
• Barber Shop
• Free Wi-Fi
• Airlines offices
• Food and retail outlets, Café, restaurants, bars
• Duty-free shops

Riyadh Airport Terminal 1 

This terminal operates all international arrivals and departures, except Air France, Saudia NasAir, and Middle East airlines.

Ticketing and Check-In

Ground level: Ticketing security check, etc

Upper level: Boarding gates from 11 to 18.

Welcome Lounges

Plaza Premium Lounge on the Mezzanine floor is close to the Departures Hall. Open 24 hours. Its services include Premium food, Snacks, Wi-Fi, Showers, Flight monitors, Newspapers, Magazines, TV, Internet terminals, and a Smoking area.

Travelers are required to pay an Access fee.

Airside, on the mezzanine floor, is Open 24 hours. Services available: Showers, Premium food, Snacks, Wi-Fi, Flight monitors, Newspapers, Magazines, TV, Children’s area, and Smoking area.

The spa is available upon payment.