All About Riyadh Airport(KKIA), Saudi Arabia

This bustling international hub offers a wide range of services and amenities to ensure a smooth and comfortable travel experience for passengers from around the globe.

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Being a business traveler, I chanced upon an announcement by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to make Riyadh Airport(KKIA) one of the world’s largest airports.

So, I have decided to review where Riyadh Airport stands for its facilities, traveler experience, and business volume.

First, it’s the second-largest airport in Saudi Arabia, with the universal paraphernalia of parking, Car Rental, and Hotels near the airport. There are 6 terminals in the King Khalid International Airport Riyadh.

It has a separate Royal Terminal for VVIPs and five passenger terminals.

Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (RUH) is the 2nd largest airport in Saudi Arabia. The largest airport after the Jeddah airport, although Riyadh is the capital and largest city in Saudi Arabia.

The airport is the hub for Saudia and Flynas.

Riyadh Airport The Vision and Ambition

The King Salman International Airport, 35 kilometers (22 mi) north of the city, will significantly boost the Kingdom’s ambition to become a dominant global trade and tourism destination by 2030.

The Economics and Passenger and Flight traffic

The project incorporates the increasing annual passenger traffic expected to rise from 29 million to 120 million by 2030 and reach 185 million by 2050. Riyadh Airport(KKIA) will contribute $7.18 billion, SR27 billion annually, to Saudi Arabia’s non-oil GDP.

The Kingdom expects its flight traffic to increase from 211,000 flights annually to more than 1 million.

Riyadh Airport Provides Sleeping Pods for Passengers

Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport now provides sleeping pods for travelers seeking a quick pre-flight nap, per a recent report by the Saudi Press Agency.

These pods, available to 300 passengers daily, feature amenities such as air conditioning, comfortable hotel-style beds, interactive screens, and secure lockers.

Transfer Between Terminals

Moving walkways and a shuttle bus service for Terminal 5 connect the 5 public terminals at Riyadh Airport(KKIA).

Terminals 1 to 4 are inter-connected within the same terminal complex, allowing for easy transfers.

Transferring to Terminal 5 from another terminal requires taking a shuttle bus. The free shuttle service operates at 10-minute intervals.

Services available at all Terminals 1-5

ATMs
Sleeping pods for passengers
Banking services
Information desk
Luggage wrapping
Barber Shop
Free Wi-Fi
Airlines offices
Food and retail outlets, Café, restaurants, bars
Duty-free shops

Riyadh Airport Terminal 1

This terminal operates all international arrivals and departures, except Air France, Saudia NasAir, and Middle East airlines.

Ticketing and Check-In

Ground level: Ticketing security check, etc

Upper level: Boarding gates from 11 to 18.

Welcome Lounges

Plaza Premium Lounge on the Mezzanine floor is close to the Departures Hall. Open 24 hours. Its services include Premium food, Snacks, Wi-Fi, Showers, Flight monitors, Newspapers, Magazines, TV, Internet terminals, and a Smoking area.

Travelers are required to pay an Access fee.

Airside, on the mezzanine floor, is Open 24 hours. Services available: Showers, Premium food, Snacks, Wi-Fi, Flight monitors, Newspapers, Magazines, TV, Children’s area, and Smoking area.

The spa is available upon payment.

Riyadh Airport Terminal 2

Operates all international flights of Air France, Saudia, Nas Air, and Middle East airlines.

Ticketing and Check-In

Ground level: Ticketing security check, etc

Upper level: Boarding gates from 21 to 28.

Welcome Lounges

Airside, on the second floor, is Open 24 hours. Services available: Showers, Premium food, Snacks, Wi-Fi, Flight monitors, Newspapers, Magazines, TV, Children’s area, and Smoking area.

Spa is available upon payment.

Saudia Al-Fursan Golden Business Lounge, close to Gate 21. Open 24 hours. Services provided Snacks, Wi-Fi, Flight monitors, Newspapers, Magazines, TV, Internet terminals, Printers, Copiers, and Telephones. Please note it is a non-smoking facility. There’s both a ‘smoking’ and a ‘non-smoking’ version.

Riyadh Airport Terminal 3

It is reopened in late 2022. Terminal 3 operates international flights of Flynas, Flyadeal, and Sky team.

Terminal 3, with its expanded passenger handling capacity, has 95 counters and 12 self-service machines.

Riyadh Airport Terminal 4

This is also reopened in late 2022 after several months of renovations. Along with terminals 1-3, this is another International flight terminal. It, too, was expanded to have 22 travel gates, 95 counters, and 12 self-service machines.

Riyadh Airport Terminal 5,

It was built in 2016 and operates all domestic flights within Saudi Arabia. It handles over 12 million passengers annually and is a shuttle drive away from terminals 1-4.

Saudi Airlines, Flynas, Saudi Golf, Flyadeal, and Nessma fly to 5 destinations within Saudi Arabia from Terminal 5.

Ticketing and Check-In

Terminal 5 at the Riyadh Airport has 36 check-in counters. Thirty for Economy Class, the remaining 6 for First and Business Class. 60 baggage and check-in counters, along with 20 self-check-in counters.

Terminal 5 is connected to the Metro and has a parking area with space to park over 3,700 cars.

Welcome Lounges

naSmiles Lounge is non-smoking and Open 24 hours. Services include Premium food, Snacks, Wi-Fi, Flight monitors, Newspapers, Magazines, and TV.

Saudia Al-Fursan Golden Lounge

It is close to Gate 508A and is open 24 hours. Services include Premium food, Snacks, Wi-Fi, Flight monitors, Newspapers, Magazines, TV, Internet terminals, Printers, Copiers, and Telephones. This lounge is a non-smoking facility.