King Salman International Airport (KSIA) is set to undergo significant expansion in Saudi Arabia, with construction on a new passenger terminal that can handle 40 million passengers a year expected to start next year.

The new terminal is a component of Riyadh's ambitious plan to make King Salman Airport one of the biggest aviation hubs in the world, according to a statement made by KSIA's acting CEO Marco Mejia to the Arabic daily newspaper Al Eqtisadiah.

In the long run, the megaproject will take the place of King Khalid International Airport and is essential to the Kingdom's efforts to establish Riyadh as a major international hub for logistics, business, and tourism.

With construction set to begin in 2026, Mejia confirmed that the next stage of development will also include new aircraft hangars and important airside infrastructure. The airport is scheduled to open in 2029, marking a significant turning point in Saudi Arabia's aviation development as part of Vision 2030.

He made the remarks during KSIA’s inaugural Partners Forum, where four memorandums of understanding were signed with leading national entities, including the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), TASAMA, Elm, and Cluster2. These agreements form part of a broader strategy to reinforce strategic partnerships and support the airport’s upcoming development phases.

The forum brought together senior figures from government bodies, private-sector organizations, and international aviation and logistics experts, underscoring both the national significance of the project and its alignment with Vision 2030’s transformation agenda, Gulf News reports.

KSIA’s ambitious master plan includes a six-runway mega-hub capable of accommodating up to 120 million passengers annually by 2030, rising to 185 million by 2050. The airport is also expected to become the future home of Riyadh Air, the Kingdom’s new national carrier, and serve as a major catalyst for economic diversification through enhanced connectivity, expanded cargo capacity, and increased tourism flows.

The addition of a 40-million-passenger terminal in the initial phase highlights the scale and pace of Saudi Arabia’s aviation investment as the Kingdom accelerates infrastructure development to boost Riyadh’s global competitiveness and meet rising regional and international travel demand.

During the forum, KSIA showcased key assets of the project, including advanced facilities, development blueprints, and architectural models, giving attendees a comprehensive glimpse into the airport’s design and progress to date.

The KSIA Partners Forum concluded its first edition with a shared commitment among all participating organizations to continue driving the development of this landmark project and work collectively to make King Salman International Airport one of the world’s largest and most advanced aviation hubs.