Record breaking air traffic growth between Jane and June 2024 in Saudi Arabia.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has announced outstanding progress in the Kingdom’s air traffic performance between January and June 2024, with a significant growth in passenger numbers, flights, air cargo, and connectivity. 

Saudi Arabia’s passenger numbers grew 17 percent in the first half of 2024 with a record 62 million passengers, and flights up 12 percent on January-June 2023 to 446,000.

The Kingdom also recorded a huge 41 percent increase in air cargo volumes between January and June, with 606,000 tons carried.

As a result of the measures being implemented through the Saudi Aviation Strategy, the Kingdom saw the number of passengers rises 17 percent to a record 62 million and flights increase 12 percent to 446,000, well above pre-pandemic levels. Low-cost carriers led this growth, recording 38 percent growth on international routes and 22 percent growth on domestic routes. 

Air cargo also achieved historic growth during the first half of the year, rising 41 percent to 606,000 tons. In addition, Saudi Arabia’s air connectivity expanded to reach 163 destinations, a 23% increase on 2023.  

GACA President H.E. Mr. Abdulaziz Al-Duailej said:   “The Kingdom’s continued growth in air traffic performance is a testament to the strategic vision reflected in the Saudi Aviation Strategy, positioning the Kingdom to lead in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia is now more connected to the world than ever before, delivering record numbers of passengers, flights, air cargo and connectivity during the first half of 2024.”

Saudi Arabia is creating unprecedented opportunities for global aviation and the private sector. The Aseer region is a shining example of aviation’s role in enabling tourism and economic growth across the Kingdom, with more than 100 companies bidding to participate in the Abha Airport Public-Private Partnership project to expand capacity from 1.5 million to 13 million passengers.” 

The figures were announced at the 13th Saudi Aviation Strategy Steering Committee meeting, held in the Aseer Province near Abha. The Committee reviewed progress in the Saudi Aviation Strategy’s implementation, including the progress of the Abha Airport Public-Private Partnership and aviation performance in the region.

The Steering Committee also reviewed the sector’s achievements during the second quarter, including the 2024 Future Aviation Forum, the world’s first air taxi license granted by GACA during Hajj in Mecca, the first operational permit granted to clean buildings using drones, and the Kingdom’s unanimous election to the Presidency of the Executive Council of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization.  

The meeting also saw a new economic license granted to the Ground Service Company for Travel and Tourism Services which will commence travel agency operations in the Kingdom.

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The Saudi Aviation Strategy is transforming the entire Saudi aviation ecosystem to become the number one aviation sector in the Middle East by 2030, enabled by Vision 2030 and in line with the Kingdom’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy.
The Strategy is unlocking US$100 billion in private and government investment across the Kingdom’s airports, airlines and aviation support services. The Strategy will extend Saudi Arabia’s connectivity from 99 to more than 250 destinations across 29 airports, triple annual passenger traffic to 330 million, establish two global long-haul connecting hubs, and increase air cargo capacity to 4.5 million tons. 
The Saudi Aviation Strategy is led by the Kingdom’s aviation regulator, the General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA). GACA’s regulatory mission is to develop the air transport industry in accordance with the latest international standards, strengthen the position of the Kingdom as a globally influential player in civil aviation, and enforce the relevant rules, regulations and procedures to ensure air transport safety and security.