Saudi airports demonstrated remarkable resilience during a critical travel period, welcoming more than 12.1 million passengers between 18 February and 28 March, a period spanning Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr. Consequently, the Kingdom’s aviation sector maintained strong performance despite evolving global challenges.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) highlighted these achievements during its 20th Aviation Program Activation Steering Committee meeting in Riyadh. GACA President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej chaired the session, which featured transport ministry officials and national aviation leaders.
Al-Duailej emphasized the sector’s efficient response to recent global disruptions. Moreover, he noted that the sector activated contingency plans during this period, reflecting air traffic growth and resilience. “From 28 February to 3 May, Saudi Arabia received more than 2,000 flights from neighboring countries’ carriers through several Saudi airports, carrying over 258,000 passengers while maintaining smooth air traffic flow and improving passenger experience,” he stated.
Additionally, Airports Cluster 2, which operates 22 Kingdom airports, reported strong first-quarter 2026 results. Passenger traffic reached nearly 5 million, marking a 7% year-on-year increase. Furthermore, flight numbers grew to more than 37,000, representing a 9% rise compared to Q1 2025.
Global Recognition and Hajj Preparations
Saudi airports continue to rank among the world’s top 100 for the fifth consecutive year. Notably, four Kingdom airports secured 14 Skytrax awards for 2026, underscoring the sector’s commitment to service excellence.
Looking ahead, Al-Duailej urged aviation employees to intensify efforts for Hajj services. “All aviation sector employees must fully leverage available capabilities to deliver the best services and facilitation for pilgrims, reflecting the Kingdom’s leading role in serving Hajj and Umrah pilgrims,” he added. Therefore, the sector remains focused on supporting millions of pilgrims during the upcoming sacred journey.
