DAMMAM: A new sensory room opened at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam to support travelers with disabilities and the elderly on Sunday.
The initiative was developed in partnership with Saudi Aramco and the King Salman Center for Disability Research and aims to improve the airport’s inclusivity.
The facility, located in the departure terminal, is equipped with adjustable lighting, sound, color and tactile elements to create a calming and controlled environment for travelers with autism spectrum disorder, sensory sensitivities or developmental conditions.
It serves both children and adults and is managed by a multidisciplinary team trained in behavioral and sensory support.
The move follows the success of a similar facility at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, opened in 2021.
Prince Sultan bin Salman attended the inauguration ceremony of the sensory room. (AN photo by Waad Hussain)
Parents attending the opening event welcomed the initiative as a long-awaited step toward inclusive travel. In interviews with Arab News, they described the sensory room as transformative for families of children with special needs.
“For the first time, I can travel with my son without fearing a sensory overload,” said Rana Al-Qahtani, the mother of a child with autism. “This space gives families like ours peace of mind.”
Another parent, Faisal Al-Mutairi, told Arab News that the new facility sends “a message that our children belong in every public space. Seeing this at an international airport makes us feel truly seen.”
Prince Sultan bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Disabled Children’s Association since 1988 and Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, inaugurated the association’s new facility, praising it as “a model of collaboration that reflects Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian commitment.”
Prince Sultan, who also serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the non-profit King Salman Foundation and Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King Salman Center for Disability Research, highlighted that a similar facility will soon open at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport.
“The Kingdom continues to invest in specialized programs that empower individuals and ensure they enjoy equal access to public facilities,” he said.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, President of the General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA), alongside several officials and stakeholders committed to advancing inclusivity and accessibility across Saudi Arabia’s public infrastructure.
Saudi Aramco’s executive vice president for human resources and corporate services, Nabil Al-Jama’, said: “Aramco remains committed to supporting national initiatives that strengthen community cohesion and promote social inclusion.
“These sensory rooms embody our belief that accessibility and empathy must guide development.”
Dammam Airports Co. chief executive, Mohammed Al-Hassani, said: “The sensory room reflects our long-term commitment to building an inclusive airport environment that welcomes all segments of society. It is about comfort, dignity and equality in travel.”
Kholoud Al-Shaya, adviser to Prince Sultan and director of the project, said the decision to expand the initiative followed feedback from families who used the Riyadh facility.
“The positive emotional and behavioral impact we witnessed over the past four years confirmed that inclusive design is not optional — it is essential. We’re proud to see this concept take root in more Saudi airports,” she said.
Beyond the sensory room, Dammam Airports Co. announced the signing of development contracts worth SR500 million ($133.3 million) and three strategic agreements with civil-society organizations to promote sustainability, recycling and the training and empowerment of persons with disabilities.
The agreements reinforce the company’s role in advancing the Vision 2030 goals of quality of life, community engagement, and environmental stewardship.
