King Abdulaziz Airport: Record numbers and entry into the category of mega airports
In a new historical achievement reflecting the rapid development of the aviation sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah recorded unprecedented figures, reaffirming its pivotal role as a major gateway to the Two Holy Mosques and a global logistics hub. The airport experienced an exceptional week in January 2026, with 1.28 million passengers traveling between January 11 and 17, demonstrating the significant operational momentum it is currently experiencing.
Entering the category of mega airports
This achievement is the culmination of continuous efforts, as the airport successfully surpassed the 53.4 million passenger mark in 2025, officially entering the category of "Mega Airports" globally. This new classification not only reflects the volume of air traffic but also confirms the efficiency of the infrastructure and the increasing capacity of the new airport, placing it among the major international airports that drive global travel.
January 2026 statistics: A strong start to the year
Founder's Airport began 2026 with a remarkable operational performance, as official statistics revealed the following figures for the month of January:
- Total passengers: 5.45 million passengers, with a growth rate of 7.3% compared to the same month of 2025.
- Flights: The number of flights increased to 29,200, achieving a growth of 11%.
- Baggage handling: 6.6 million bags were handled, an increase of 8%, reflecting the efficiency of ground services and the handling system.
January 17th specifically witnessed the peak of operations, as the airport recorded its highest daily number in its history with 195,300 passengers and 1,089 flights in one day, which is a real and successful test of the readiness of the facilities and human resources.
Strategic context and importance of the event
These figures cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader context of Saudi Vision 2030, specifically the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which aims to position the Kingdom as a global logistics hub connecting three continents. King Abdulaziz International Airport plays a pivotal role in achieving the objectives of this strategy, which aspires to reach 330 million passengers annually by 2030 and increase international destinations to more than 250.
This growth also reflects the significant recovery in the tourism and Umrah sectors, as the airport serves as the primary gateway for pilgrims and tourists arriving to explore new tourist destinations in the Kingdom. Jeddah Airports Company, which has managed and operated the airport since 2022, is implementing comprehensive development plans to enhance the passenger experience and apply the latest smart technologies to ensure smooth passenger flow, as clearly demonstrated by the airport's ability to efficiently accommodate these millions of passengers.
