Saudi Arabia Airport Operation Market Research Report: Forecast (2025-2030)

Market Insights & Analysis: Saudi Arabia Airport Operation Market (2025-30):

The Saudi Arabia Airport Operation Market size was valued at around USD 234 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 352 million by 2030. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 7.11% during the forecast period, i.e., 2025-30. The main reasons behind this growth are increased tourism on account of growth in infrastructural development based on Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals, expansion & modernization of the airports, growth in religious tourism, technological advancements, and rising air cargo demand.

Saudi Arabia is highly focused on generating numerous sources of revenue other than oil extraction by diversifying its economy into other sectors. As per this goal, the country is highly focused on attracting tourists by increasing infrastructural development. Around 128 million people visited the country in 2024, out of which 30 million came to visit Makkah. To provide a seamless experience to these tourists, multiple airports have been established in Saudi Arabia. Airports, in turn, require efficient and smooth operations management at places such as terminals, runways, ATC towers, etc. As a result, the market has experienced significant growth, and this growth is expected to continue in the forecast years amid the expected increase in tourist arrivals.

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Furthermore, various equipment used in airport operations has experienced continuous innovations in recent years. These are done to reduce human error and the time involved in check-ins, baggage deposits, boarding processes, etc. As a result, airports have invested in such operations to ensure higher passenger satisfaction. Some airport systems are even integrated with AI for analytics-based decisions.

For instance, King Khalid International Airport has collaborated with ADB Safegate to develop an advanced digital platform, OFOQ. This platform acts as a central database and management tool for all operational processes and provides them with insights based on data to improve the planning processes. Therefore, the demand for efficient airport operations has increased in recent years due to an increasing number of tourists, expansion in airports, and advancement in technologies, leading to the growth of the airport operations handling market, and this demand is expected to continue in the forecast period.

Saudi Arabia Airport Operation Market Driver:

Increase in Tourism Driving Market Growth – The number of tourists coming to Saudi Arabia via airways is continuously increasing. These include two types of passengers, first are those who came to visit the holiest city of Islam, i.e., Makkah, and the other type, who came for entertainment and leisure. Around 128 million people visited the country in 2024, out of which 30 million came to visit Makkah.

The country is highly focused on ensuring a seamless experience for tourists coming via airway, as per their Vision 2030 goals. To address this demand, there is a high need for a professionally managed operations and services team at the airport that can handle various operations smoothly, thus creating a growth environment for the market. Also, to manage the transits smoothly, especially when airport terminals are undergoing expansion or improvement, the demand for effective management of airport operations at the landside becomes crucial, and thus, there is a high need for airport operations management. For instance, Abha International Airport is undergoing expansion, which will be completed in 2028. This will increase its capacity from 1.5 million tourists to 13 million.

Therefore, an increase in tourism due to rapid growth in infrastructural development in Saudi Arabia, coupled with increased tourist visits due to religious reasons in the country, has fueled the demand for air travel, which directly correlates with requirements for airport operations, and thus drives the growth of the market.

Saudi Arabia Airport Operation Market Opportunity:

Launch of New Airports to Provide a Lucrative Growth Opportunity – Saudi Arabia has announced the launch of various new airport projects to meet the demand from expanding tourism as per its diversification goals. For instance, in 2022, the launch plan of King Salman International Airport was released, whose operations will start by 2026 and will be fully completed by 2034.

Also, Red Sea International Airport was established in 2023, especially for the guests arriving at The Red Sea, a smart city project in Saudi Arabia. This airport will be fully functional by 2030, with a target to welcome around 1 million tourists annually. These upcoming airport projects will further drive the demand for managing various airport operations at aircraft movement areas, terminals, ATC towers, etc., to ensure smooth functioning of airport facilities and thus will provide growth opportunities for companies in airport luggage management, security, catering, etc., to expand their business over there.

Saudi Arabia Airport Operation Market Challenge:

Shortage of Qualified & Cost-Efficient Labor – One of the main challenges faced by the market is the lack of a skilled and cheaper workforce. As per the Nitaqat Program under Saudization policy, companies have to hire Saudi citizens for their operations to support local employment. However, the scarcity of skilled manpower to operate in a very complex environment like airport operations is a major challenge to the companies. Moreover, the companies resort to importing skilled professionals from South and Southeast Asia. This migration of skilled workforce involves additional investments. Eventually, the companies have to invest a considerable amount in training and development.

Saudi Arabia Airport Operation Market Trend:

Digital Transformation & Automation of Various Airport Operations – Saudi Arabia Airports have started getting equipped with advanced technologies and automated solutions for managing certain airport operations at the terminal side, such as automatic baggage handling, biometric verifications at safety and boarding points, etc. These are done to improve the experience of customers while maintaining high efficiency. Additionally, they reduce time and human error by eliminating the involvement of humans. For instance, in 2025, around 70 e-gates were installed at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. These gates are also integrated with AI and biometric solutions, thus reducing the time at security points and boarding points. Thus, it increases the growth opportunities for the companies that offer automation in airport terminal operations. Therefore, Automated and advanced technologies integrated with AI and biometrics are gaining popularity, and this trend is expected to continue in the forecast years.

Saudi Arabia Airport Operation Market (2025-30): Segmentation Analysis

The Saudi Arabia Airport Operation Market study of MarkNtel Advisors evaluates & highlights the major trends and influencing factors in each segment. It includes predictions for the period 2025–30 at the country level. Based on the analysis, the market has been further classified as:

Based on Operation Type:

• Information Management
• Airside Operations
• Landside Operations
• Terminal Side Operations
• Financial Operations

Based on the type of operations, airside operations are the most prominent ones, holding a market share of around 42%. These operations include the handling of baggage, guiding aircraft to the parking area, pushing & towing the aircraft, refueling, cleaning & catering, etc. As these works have to be done professionally, a high demand for professional workers is created, which results in high investment.

Additionally, the equipment used in performing these operations, such as towing & pushing vehicles, belt loaders, etc., is also very expensive. As a result, this segment consumes the highest proportion of investment made in airport operations. Therefore, due to the involvement of a skilled team and expensive equipment, this segment dominates the market, which is expected to continue in the forecast period amid the ongoing expansion of various airports.

Based on Airport Category:

• Commercial Service Airports
• Cargo Service Airports
• Reliever Airports
• General Aviation Airports

Based on the category of airport, commercial service airports are the major users of airport operation services, thus holding a market share of around 52%. There are a total of 29 commercial airports in Saudi Arabia. These airports host a lot of passengers every year. For instance, around 109 million passengers visited the country in 2023, and this value increased by around 17.4% in the next year. As a result, there is a very high demand at these airports to manage the operations efficiently to ensure high passenger satisfaction. Therefore, due to the highest engagement at commercial service airports, they are the most prominent end-users of airport operations, and this dominance will remain in the forecast period as well amid the Vision 2030 goals and high influx of religious tourists.

Saudi Arabia Airport Operation Industry Recent Development:

• 2024: TAV Airports collaborated with AL-Rajhi Holding to expand the capacity of Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah from 8 million to 18 million annually by 2027. The project will receive an investment of around USD275 million in two phases.
• 2024: MATARAT Holding has introduced the “Passenger with no Bags” service. This allows travelers to ship their luggage in advance from home to any destination, completing travel-related procedures before the flight date. This service aims to streamline travel procedures, reduce waiting times, and simplify traveling with minimal luggage.

Gain a Competitive Edge with Our Saudi Arabia Airport Operation Market Report

1. Saudi Arabia Airport Operation Market Report by MarkNtel Advisors provides a detailed & thorough analysis of market size & market share, growth rate, competitive landscape, and key players. This comprehensive analysis helps businesses gain a holistic understanding of market dynamics & make informed decisions.
2. This report also highlights current market trends & future projections, allowing businesses to identify emerging opportunities & potential challenges. By understanding market forecasts, companies can align their strategies & stay ahead of the competition.
3. Saudi Arabia Airport Operation Market Report aids in assessing & mitigating risks associated with entering or operating in the market. By understanding market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and potential challenges, businesses can develop strategies to minimize risks & optimize their operations.

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