King Fahd Airport ramps up cargo hub ambitions

King Fahd International Airport (KFIA) in Dammam is stepping up its logistics ambitions, with plans to boost air cargo handling to 600,000 tonnes a year, a tenfold increase, as part of a $426.5 million investment package covering 77 infrastructure projects aimed at turning the airport into a major regional freight hub.

To support faster cargo movement and more aircraft capacity, KFIA has upgraded its western runway to 4,000 metres, added 4,000 metres of taxiway, and installed more than 3,200 advanced lighting units linked through a unified system. The improvements are designed to strengthen airfield efficiency, support more frequent cargo flights, and reduce delays during operations.

The upgrades align with Saudi Arabia’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy and Vision 2030 goals to position the Kingdom as a global logistics platform connecting three continents.

Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, said the programme reflects Vision 2030’s push to establish Saudi Arabia as “a global logistics platform linking three continents.”

KFIA’s expansion plans also include increasing aircraft movement capacity to 77 per hour, supporting future growth in freight activity and regional supply chains.