Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — Riyadh will host the 4th edition of the Global Airports Forum in December this year. The forum, marking its largest edition to date, will take place at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center on December 16-17, 2025. The forum, formerly known as the Saudi Airport Exhibition, has been rebranded as the Global Airports Forum.
This year’s edition will double in size, covering 15,000 square meters, with the participation of 300 global exhibitors and more than 10,000 visitors, reinforcing the conference’s position as a key platform for the airport and aviation industry in the region.
Several events, including the Global Aviation Issues Conference, the General Assembly of Women in Aviation, and the Airport Excellence Awards, with the participation of over 100 international speakers, will be held on the sidelines of the forum. More than 5,000 pre-scheduled meetings between exhibitors and buyers will take place, fostering collaboration and business opportunities in the sector.
The forum presents a unique opportunity to showcase the latest technologies, innovations, and strategic partnerships in aviation, further strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for air transport and airport excellence.
The 2024 edition of the exhibition with the theme "Expansion, Innovation, and Collaboration," was a resounding success. It was held under the sponsorship of Matarat Holding, an arm of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and several leading local and global aviation companies. The event attracted over 7,000 aviation professionals and 250 exhibitors from 22 countries.
Saudi Arabia is executing a massive airport expansion and modernization program with $147 billion in investments, expected to contribute $82.3 billion to the GDP by 2037. The GACA aims to increase air connectivity to 250 destinations, boost annual passenger numbers to 330 million by 2030, and double air cargo capacity to 4.5 million tons per year. These developments are crucial as the Kingdom prepares to host several major global events, including the AFC Asian Cup in 2027, the Asian Winter Games in 2029, Expo 2030 in Riyadh, and the FIFA World Cup in 2034.
Among the key projects currently underway are King Salman International Airport, Riyadh, which is one of the world's largest airports, targeting 100 million passengers annually by 2030, with future expansions increasing capacity to 185 million passengers by 2050; AlUla International Airport, which undergoes development to accommodate 2 million visitors by 2035; and privatization of Abha and Taif airports with $1 billion in investments, increasing Taif Airport's capacity to 2.5 million passengers annually by 2030.
Several regional and international airports across the Kingdom are undergoing expansion and modernization. This year will also mark the launch of Riyadh Air’s first commercial flights. The airline gears up to operate flights to over 100 destinations worldwide.
Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector saw significant growth in 2024, with Saudia Airlines transporting over 35 million passengers and Flyadeal and Flynas setting new records in passenger numbers and flight operations.
Daksha Patel, Director of Niche Ideas, the event organizer, commented: "The pace of transformation in the aviation sector across the region is unprecedented, and Saudi Arabia is at the forefront of this change with massive investments in aviation infrastructure. We are proud to see the Global Airports Conference serving as a premier platform that brings together industry leaders to support these efforts and drive innovation in airport development."
