Saudi Arabia Is Building a $30 Billion Smart Airport That Could Change How You Travel

Saudi Arabia isn’t just building a big airport. It’s building a smart one!

Riyadh’s King Salman International Airport is getting a $30 billion upgrade that will make it one of the world’s most intelligent and high-tech airports. This is all part of Saudi Vision 2030, the country’s grand plan to modernise its economy and turn Riyadh into a major global travel and logistics hub.

Image credit: Public Investment Fund Saudi Arabia Website

The airport scale is massive and set to cover 57 square kilometres, with six parallel runways and futuristic terminals powered by integrated smart systems. These systems are designed to make travel smoother, faster, and more efficient from automated check-ins and baggage handling to advanced security and real-time flight management.

In short, Saudi wants to make airport chaos a thing of the past.

Once completed, King Salman International Airport will be able to handle up to 120 million passengers a year by 2030, with expansion plans to reach 185 million by 2050. But it’s not just about the numbers, it’s about experience!

Also read: 5 Most Unique Airports in the World, Ranked!

The new smart airport will feature:

Image credit: Public Investment Fund Saudi Arabia Website

  • Eco-friendly design and renewable energy solutions

  • AI-driven systems for smoother operations

  • Retail and leisure zones that feel more like a luxury mall than an airport

  • Smart connectivity that links travel, logistics, and hospitality in one system

It’s not just a stopover. It’s a destination.

Named after King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, this next-gen airport will be the beating heart of Saudi’s aviation transformation connecting East and West with tech and style.

Why it matters for Filipinos

Image credit: Public Investment Fund Saudi Arabia Website

Also read: Saudi Arabia's New Visa Rule Makes Travel Easier for Filipinos

Many Filipino workers and travellers pass through Riyadh every year. Once the smart airport is fully operational, expect:

Shorter layovers and more efficient flights to and from Manila

Smarter transit systems that make travel less stressful

Better connections to Europe, Africa, and other parts of Asia

So if you’ve ever dreamed of a stress-free layover with high-speed systems and zero hassle, Riyadh’s upcoming airport might be it.

Saudi Arabia’s $30 billion plan to build one of the world’s smartest airports in Riyadh could redefine travel for millions—including Filipino workers and tourists—heading to the Middle East and beyond.


Featured Image credit: Public Investment Fund Saudi Arabia Website

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About Author

Wynona Purl

Wynona Purl is a pop-culture junkie, writer, and editor from the Philippines. She runs an indie style & culture magazine called Modamorph that features artists from the underground scene. A certified chatterbox who loves cats, anything ube, and always has guts and curiosity. For her, life’s fortune always favours the bold. She hopes to see more of the world someday and turn those travels into stories.

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