Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector soared to new heights in 2024, with passenger numbers reaching an all-time high of 128 million, according to the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). This marks a 15 percent rise from 2023 and a 25 percent jump compared to pre-pandemic levels. Of these travelers, 59 million were on domestic flights, while 69 million took international routes.

The year also saw an 11 percent increase in flights, totaling 905,000. Air connectivity expanded significantly, linking the Kingdom to over 170 destinations worldwide—a sixteen percent growth from the previous year.

The four main airports—located in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah—handled 82 percent of the total traffic. Notably, during the Hajj season, which ran from May 9 to July 21, air traffic surged, with 1.5 million pilgrims arriving in Saudi Arabia. This accounted for 40 percent of all international passengers during that period.

The Jeddah-Riyadh domestic route saw the largest capacity increase globally in 2024, according to data from the British travel analytics firm OAG. On the international front, the Cairo-Jeddah route retained its position as the second busiest worldwide, recording 5.5 million seats—a 14 percent rise from 2023 and a staggering 62 percent jump from 2019.

The Dubai-Riyadh route also posted solid growth, with seat capacity increasing by 8 percent from 2023 and 37 percent from 2019, securing its place as the 6th busiest international route since 2023.

Saudi Arabia’s aviation recovery and expansion highlight the sector’s resilience and its role in connecting the Kingdom to the world, as it continues to achieve significant milestones.