Quantcast

Few flights at world's largest airport despite massive size

American Halts CRJ-200 Operations
Shanghai Airlines to Launch Casablanca Route
Engine maker agrees to compensate WizzAir for grounded planes
Turkish Airlines’ flights are riddled with bedbugs, passengers say
British Airways frequent flyers react to Executive Club changes
Inside the short-lived, men-only flights where kids and women were banned but cigar and pipe smoking were rife
China steps up drive to break Boeing, Airbus grip on plane market
Heathrow’s New York service clings to spot in top aviation routes
Airline praises pilots in crash-landing where both died but nearly half the passengers survived
Mexico state airline to buy five Embraer planes next year
A record number of people are expected to fly over the holidays. That's good for travel stocks, but not for passengers.
American Airlines technical issue sparks travel chaos on Christmas Eve as flights heavily delayed after being grounded
Why United Airlines has had such a stellar year despite being Boeing's biggest customer
JetBlue nixing routes between multiple major cities, reducing several others
Airline Stocks Led The Travel Industry's Record 2024 Rally. Here's What's Next.
It’s beginning to look like another record for holiday travel
Qatar Airways cleans up at the World Travel Awards
All of the strikes at European airports this winter – find out if you are affected
Meet the CEO trying to turn around Air India, the 92-year-old airline with a pile of problems
Skiplagging: Unpacking the Risky Travel Trend That Involves Tricking Airlines
Qantas engineers walk off job on one of the busiest travel days of the year
South Korea to safeguard competition after Korean Air, Asiana merger
China Southern returns to Adelaide
Global Airline Industry Revenues Forecast To Top $1 Trillion For First Time In 2025
EasyJet to launch six new routes from the UK next year with £24 flights
Here's Why Analysts Say It's a Good Time to Buy Airline Stocks
A No-Frills Airline Is Getting Into the Premium Game
TAKING OFF: Major airline introduces new inflight service rules with less time to order your drinks
2 Delta flight attendants fail breathalyzer test before flight to JFK
EasyJet reveals plans for new flights from regional UK airport next summer
Few flights at world's largest airport despite massive size
Policy
Webp received 598041553152025
King Fahd International Airport | Wikipedia

King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, is the largest airport in the world by area, covering approximately 300 square miles. Despite its size, the airport sees relatively few flights compared to its capacity. Aviation analytics company Cirium reports that less than 3,400 flights are scheduled for February, with a peak of 3,841 flights expected in July. In 2024, King Fahd International handled around 12 million passengers, marking an increase from previous years but still falling short of other major airports.

"King Fahd International recently celebrated its quarter-centenary," highlighting its opening in late 1999. The airport was built on a large site to allow for future expansion as demand increased. It has been used mainly for oil and gas flights due to eastern Saudi Arabia's reliance on the oil industry. Despite this specialization, it remains only the third-busiest airport in Saudi Arabia.

The airport's main terminal spans six stories and covers 327,000 square meters. Additionally, there are two other terminals: one for VIPs and another operated by Aramco. Although not the largest based on terminal size alone, King Fahd's total site area surpasses even neighboring Bahrain.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

A key factor contributing to its underutilization is competition from other major Saudi airports like King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. These airports serve more populous cities and handle significantly more passengers annually.

Currently, low-cost carriers Flynas and Flyadeal use King Fahd International as a hub; however, Saudia has reduced its operations there. With Riyadh Air set to base itself out of Riyadh’s new King Salman International Airport once completed, King Fahd will likely continue focusing on budget airlines.

Under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan, King Fahd aims to increase connectivity with European and Asian destinations while expanding cargo operations. Recently awarded $26 million for cargo development by SAL Saudi Logistics Services, plans also include terminal modernization with new elevators and escalators installed by Kone.

As part of ongoing growth within Saudi aviation overall—Jeddah’s and Riyadh’s airports have also seen increases—the airport anticipates breaking passenger records this year following a reported 15% rise last year.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Lufthansa has been recognized as the world's most family-friendly airline by the World Airline Awards 2025.

Jun 17, 2025

Air India announced on X that flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick was involved in an accident shortly after takeoff.

Jun 16, 2025

Lufthansa Group Airlines has introduced new digital functions aimed at enhancing the travel experience for passengers.

Jun 16, 2025

Delta Air Lines has been recognized as the Best Global Airline for the Americas by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX).

Jun 16, 2025

Seoul, South Korea, June 16, 2025 – Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) joined forces with the Korea Green Foundation in a plogging initiative to address plastic waste pollution and promote environmental responsibility.

Jun 16, 2025

Federal Express Corporation, a major player in express transportation, continues its dedication to youth empowerment through the 2025 FedEx/Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge (FedEx/JA ITC).

Jun 16, 2025