RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 plans are clearly taking off, with Saudi airport passengers surging by 46% since 2016. According to a new report, 128 million travellers passed through Saudi airports in 2024, highlighting the Kingdom’s growing role as a global aviation and logistics hub.
The country’s airports operated 905,000 flights and handled 1.2 million tonnes of cargo last year. Strengthening aviation and logistics remains central to Vision 2030, which seeks to transform Saudi Arabia into a world-leading business and tourism destination by the end of the decade.
“Saudi Arabia is transforming its transport ecosystem, positioning itself as a global logistics and aviation hub by 2030,” the report published by Arab News stated.
Saudi Arabia’s Air Connectivity Programme, launched in 2021, has been a major boost. In 2024 alone, over 60 new routes were introduced, and 12 new international airlines began operating across Saudi cities, connecting the Kingdom to more global destinations.
Innovation was also at the forefront. The Kingdom launched the region’s first autonomous air taxi pilot during the Hajj season, helping pilgrims move easily between holy sites. Authorities even issued their first drone licence for cleaning building facades.
On the ground, the national rail network reported strong growth too. Around 13 million passengers used Saudi rail services in 2024 — a 22% jump from the previous year — with 28 million tonnes of freight transported.
One of the biggest milestones was the launch of the Riyadh Metro. Spanning 176 km across six lines, it can carry 3.6 million passengers daily. In its first week alone, the metro transported 1.9 million passengers, easing traffic in the capital and significantly improving residents’ quality of life.
The Kingdom’s integrated transport developments are clearly setting the stage for a vibrant future.
