In a strategic move that underscores the ongoing development and comprehensive advancement of the civil aviation sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah has further solidified its strong presence on the global airport map. This comes after it was awarded the title of “Best Regional Airport in the Middle East” at the prestigious Skytrax World Airport Awards, during a grand ceremony held in London. This latest achievement reflects the airport's sustained outstanding performance and commitment to the highest standards of service quality for passengers and pilgrims.
Historical context and strategic importance of the airport
Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport serves as the second air gateway for pilgrims to the Two Holy Mosques and the first stop for visitors to the city of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Its historical and operational significance stems from being the first airport in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to be fully constructed and operated through a public-private partnership (PPP) model, in collaboration with Tibah Airports Company. This pioneering investment model accelerated development and established the airport as a model for privatization in the aviation sector, positively impacting the quality of its infrastructure and logistics services.
A proven track record of excellence and a global ranking reflecting traveler satisfaction
This Skytrax award marks the airport's third consecutive win and its fifth in six years (having won in 2020, 2021, 2024, 2025, and 2026). This consistent record underscores the airport's exceptional ability to maintain high operational and service standards. The Skytrax awards are internationally recognized because they are based directly on passenger votes through the world's largest annual customer satisfaction survey, reflecting the growing confidence travelers have in the airport and its seamless, integrated travel experience throughout their journey.
Globally advanced centers and leading international accreditations
The airport's presence wasn't limited to its top regional rankings; it continued its upward trajectory in the Skytrax World Airport Awards, securing 50th place in the list of the world's top 100 airports. It also ranked fourth globally as the best international airport in the category of airports serving 10 to 20 million passengers annually.
This achievement comes as the culmination of a series of awards and accreditations recently received by the airport, most notably:
- Level 2 certification in customer experience from Airports Council International (ACI).
- (IBCCES) certification as the first autism-friendly airport in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- Certificate of Best Workplace according to the Great Place to Work rating.
- First Aid Safety Certificate within the “Muath” Project Initiative.
- I received the awards for Best International Airport (5 to 15 million passengers category) and Best Services for People with Disabilities as part of the General Authority of Civil Aviation's comprehensive evaluation program.
Event impact: Exceptional operational growth and service to pilgrims
At both the local and regional levels, the airport plays a pivotal role in accommodating the steady increase in the number of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. The airport has witnessed continuous growth in operational traffic, with the number of passengers passing through it reaching approximately 11.7 million in 2025. During the Hajj season of 1446 AH, the airport received nearly 720,000 pilgrims on 1,911 flights arriving from 53 countries and 196 destinations worldwide, operated by 65 airlines, confirming its high level of preparedness to manage large crowds efficiently and effectively.
Digital transformation and massive expansion projects worth 1.3 billion riyals
As part of improving the travel experience and increasing the efficiency of operational processes, the airport implemented a package of advanced technical projects, including the addition of 20 self-service gates to facilitate passport procedures, the development of the Flight Information Display System (FIDS) by installing 326 modern screens, the introduction of smart cleaning robots, and the application of passenger movement control technologies with electronic arms.
To meet increasing demand, the airport is continuing to implement strategic expansion plans exceeding SAR 1.3 billion, aimed at raising its capacity to 18 million passengers annually. The project includes the construction of a new international terminal for national carriers with a capacity of 5.5 million passengers, and the expansion of the existing international terminal to reach a capacity of 12.5 million passengers, thus enhancing Madinah's connectivity with more global destinations.
Integrated work that aligns with the goals of Vision 2030
The CEO of Taiba Airports Operation Company, Engineer Sufyan Abdul Salam, expressed his pride in this achievement, stressing that it is the result of the efforts of the integrated work system and close cooperation with governmental and operational bodies, with the support and guidance of the Governor of Madinah Region, Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, and the supervision of the General Authority of Civil Aviation.
These achievements come in the context of direct support for the objectives of “Kingdom’s Vision 2030” and the National Aviation Sector Strategy, which aspires to raise the capacity of the Kingdom’s airports to more than 300 million passengers annually, and to connect the Kingdom to more than 250 international destinations by 2030, in addition to hosting 30 million Umrah pilgrims, making Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport a key pillar in achieving these ambitious national aspirations.
