RIYADH: King Khalid International Airport, operated by Riyadh Airports Company, is set to begin implementing a major strategic transformation plan in the first quarter of 2026, it was announced on Saturday.
It will be the airport’s first comprehensive overhaul since it opened more than 40 years ago.
The initiative is one of the most prominent projects underpinning Riyadh Airports’ strategic vision, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
It includes operational and organizational changes designed to boost capacity, enhance efficiency, and significantly improve the passenger experience, SPA added.
Central to the plan is a large-scale operational transfer between existing terminals, which have been redesigned to reflect their original identity since the airport’s inauguration.
Under the new layout, Terminal 5 will be dedicated to international flights operated by foreign airlines, while Terminals 3 and 4 will serve domestic flights. Terminals 1 and 2 will continue to handle international flights operated by national airlines.
Riyadh Airports said the reallocation will increase terminal capacity, improve passenger flow, and reduce waiting and connection times, contributing to higher service quality and a smoother travel experience.
The exact date for the operational transfer will be announced once full readiness has been confirmed across all airport sectors and airlines.
The strategy also includes a broader package of development initiatives aimed at improving operational efficiency and raising service standards, Riyadh Airports said.
The company added that the move is part of a strategy being implemented in coordination with the General Authority of Civil Aviation and Airports Holding Company to elevate passenger services at the capital’s airport.
