Saudi international airports fly high in global rankings

The international air transport rating organization evaluated more than 500 airlines and airports from around the world. (SPA)
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Updated 10 August 2021
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Saudi international airports fly high in global rankings

  • Jeddah’s new King Abdulaziz International Airport led all other Saudi airports and ranked 50th globally
  • King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) in Riyadh advanced 36 places to reach 58th spot

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s international airports have soared in the top 100 world rankings despite the impact on air travel due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, according to Skytrax.

The international air transport rating organization evaluated more than 500 airlines and airports from around the world and its verdict on the Kingdom has been interpreted by some industry experts as another sign of the country’s recovery from the global health crisis.

Jeddah’s new King Abdulaziz International Airport led all other Saudi airports and ranked 50th globally, the World Airport Awards reported.

King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) in Riyadh advanced 36 places to reach 58th spot, Prince Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz International Airport in Madinah moved up 16 places to 68th, and King Fahd International Airport (KFIA) in Dammam, ranked 87th.

Regionally, Jeddah’s airport ranked third, and KKIA and KFIA came fifth and ninth, respectively.

Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport — the first Saudi privatized airport — received top prize as the best regional flight hub, and sixth in the Middle East, for the second year in a row.

Ali Al-Hazmi, an independent analyst, told Arab News that the improved ranking of the Saudi airports was mainly due to the traveler experience.

He said: “From the airport’s gate to the aircraft’s gate the Saudi airports offer a totally different experience.”

He also praised pandemic-related measures taken by Saudi aviation and airport authorities. “In Saudi Arabia, most of the flights were on time, by 95 percent, which means that all facilities inside the airports enhanced the traveler experience. This success is no coincidence,” he added.

Al-Hazmi pointed out that one of the goals of the Vision 2030 reform plan was to elevate the position of Saudi airports and see them in the global top 20 list.

Total passenger satisfaction percentage at all Saudi airports, which included more than 1 million reviews, reached 73 percent, according to recent data from the country’s General Authority of Civil Aviation.


Closing Bell: Saudi main index rises to 10,894

Updated 13 January 2026
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index rises to 10,894

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index extended its upward trend for a third consecutive day this week, gaining 148.18 points, or 1.38 percent, to close at 10,893.63 on Tuesday. 

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index stood at SR6.05 billion ($1.61 billion), with 144 listed stocks advancing and 107 declining. 

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu also rose by 81.35 points to close at 23,668.29. 

The MSCI Tadawul Index edged up 1.71 percent to 1,460.89. 

The best-performing stock on the main market was Zahrat Al Waha for Trading Co., with its share price advancing 10 percent to SR2.75. 

Shares of CHUBB Arabia Cooperative Insurance Co. increased 8.27 percent to SR23.04, while Abdullah Saad Mohammed Abo Moati for Bookstores Co. saw its stock climb 6.17 percent to SR50.60. 

Conversely, the share price of Naseej International Trading Co. declined 9.90 percent to SR31.48. 

On the announcements front, Arabian Drilling Co. said it secured three contract extensions for land rigs with energy giant Saudi Aramco, totaling SR1.4 billion and adding 25 active rig years to its backlog. 

In a Tadawul statement, the company said one rig is currently operational, the second will begin operations by the end of January, and the third — currently suspended — is expected to resume operations in 2026. 

Since November 2025, Arabian Drilling has secured seven contract extensions amounting to SR3.4 billion, representing 55 committed rig years. 

The three contracts have durations of 10 years, 10 years, and five years, respectively.

“Securing a total of SR1.4 billion in new contracts and expanding our backlog by 25 rig-years demonstrates both the trust our clients place in us and our ability to consistently deliver quality and reliability,” said Ghassan Mirdad, CEO of Arabian Drilling, in a statement. 

Shares of Arabian Drilling Co. rose 3.15 percent to SR104.70. 

Separately, Alkhorayef Water and Power Technologies Co. said it signed a 36-month contract valued at SR43.35 million with National Water Co. to operate and maintain water networks, pumping stations, wells, reservoirs, and related facilities in Tabuk. 

In October, Alkhorayef Water and Power Technologies Co. announced it had been awarded the contract by NWC. 

In a Tadawul statement, the company said the financial impact of the deal began in the fourth quarter of 2025. 

The share price of Alkhorayef Water and Power Technologies Co. declined 0.49 percent to SR120.70.