King Abdulaziz Airport: 1.28 million passengers in a record week

In a new achievement reflecting the great boom witnessed by the aviation sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah continued to break records, recording an exceptional week that is the highest in its history, thus consolidating its position as one of the most important air hubs in the region and the world.

Joining the giant airport club

Recent operational data confirms that the airport successfully surpassed the 53.4 million passenger mark in 2025, officially qualifying it for inclusion in the "Mega Airports" category. This ambition didn't stop there; the airport began 2026 with a remarkable performance, recording its highest-ever week of operations from January 11th to 17th, 2026, welcoming approximately 1.28 million passengers – a figure that reflects the increasing demand and the efficiency of its operational plans.

January 2026 statistics: Accelerated growth

Official statistics revealed a strong start to the current year, with the airport achieving the following figures in January alone:

• Number of passengers: 5.45 million passengers, with a growth rate of 7.3% compared to the same month of 2025.
• Flights: 29,200 flights, an increase of 11% over the previous year.
• Baggage handling: 6.6 million bags were handled, with a growth of 8%, reflecting the smooth flow of ground services.

A historic day and infrastructure readiness

January 17, 2026, marked the highest daily passenger traffic in the airport's history, with 195,300 passengers passing through on 1,089 flights in a single day. These figures are a testament to the airport's infrastructure readiness and its capacity to handle high traffic volumes, especially given that King Abdulaziz International Airport is the main gateway to the Two Holy Mosques and a pivotal hub connecting three continents.

Strategic importance and alignment with Vision 2030

These significant advancements are part of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which aims to position the Kingdom as a global logistics hub. Jeddah Airports Company, which has managed and operated the airport since 2022, plays a pivotal role in enhancing the passenger experience and increasing capacity, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to expand the number of international destinations and boost the number of passengers, tourists, and pilgrims visiting the Kingdom.

This continued growth not only enhances the status of King Abdulaziz International Airport, but also contributes directly to supporting the national economy and revitalizing the tourism and hospitality sectors in the Western Region and the Kingdom as a whole.