Saudi Arabia is constructing the world's largest airport as part of its ambitious strategy to establish itself as a global travel hub. The project will feature an environmentally friendly building that will power renewable energy sources.
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Construction of the World's Largest Airport in Saudi Arabia
In November 2022, the Principal Investment Fund (PIF), the country's financial institution, presented a master plan for the airport. The new airport will be constructed on the territory currently occupied by King Khalid Airport in Riyadh and will be called King Salman International Airport. It would encompass an area of approximately 34 square miles and have six parallel runways, housing and entertainment venues, and retail outlets.
Moreover, while Foster + Partners and Jacobs Solutions are responsible for the layout of the airport's facilities, the construction company Mace Group, which is based in London, was appointed the principal consultant for the project in April.
The airport is expected to enhance Riyadh's status as a global logistics hub and promote transport, commerce, and tourism. With a planned total area of 57 square kilometers and the capacity to accommodate 120 million people annually, the airport is anticipated to be the largest in the world in terms of both size and the number of passengers it can accommodate.
During a meeting held in Rio de Janeiro, Marco Mejia, the chief executive officer of the Saudi Public Investment Fund, stated to the media that an additional private aviation station would be opened by the year 2026, a new runway would be opened by the year 2027, a new terminal would be opened by the year 2028, and an 'iconic' terminal building would be opened by the year 2030. Ahead of the World Cup, which will be held in the Kingdom in 2034, it is anticipated that the airport will be ready to welcome guests to the Riyadh Expo in 2030.
As mentioned, the construction of King Salman International Airport is expected to generate substantial economic benefits for Riyadh and Saudi Arabia as a whole, in addition to the architectural masterpieces it will feature. Accordingly, the project is consistent with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the nation's economy by promoting the expansion of logistics and tourism to reduce its reliance on energy. With its size and capabilities, the world's largest airport is expected to attract new business, which would, in turn, strengthen the country's position as a worldwide logistics hub.
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Economic Impact on the World's Largest Airport
King Salman International Airport is anticipated to be a significant economic windfall for Riyadh and Saudi Arabia as a whole, in addition to the architectural marvels that it will encompass. Due to its construction, a large number of jobs, both directly related to the airport's operations and in ancillary sectors, are anticipated to be created.
Additionally, the project is consistent with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the nation's economy by promoting the expansion of logistics and tourism to reduce its reliance on energy. With its size and capabilities, the world's largest airport is expected to attract new business, which would, in turn, strengthen the country's position as a worldwide logistics hub.
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