King Fahd International Airport (DMM) in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, is the world’s largest airport by area, covering an enormous 300 square miles—twice the size of the next largest airport, King Khalid International (RUH) in Riyadh. Surprisingly, despite its massive size, the airport handles fewer commercial flights compared to many other major airports worldwide. This article explores the reasons behind this underutilization and its future prospects.
Overview of King Fahd International Airport
King Fahd International opened in 1999, replacing Dhahran International Airport, which was previously a U.S. military base and is now used by the Royal Saudi Air Force. The airport was designed with expansion in mind, occupying an area as large as New York City.
Its facilities include:
- Main Terminal: A six-story building spanning 327,000 m².
- VIP Terminal: For royal family and dignitaries.
- Aramco Terminal: Operated by the state-owned oil company.
Despite its capacity to handle large numbers of passengers and cargo, the airport served only 12 million passengers in 2024. By comparison, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, the busiest in the world, sees over 62 million passengers annually.
Why Is King Fahd International Underused?
1. Competition from Other Saudi Airports
Saudi Arabia has two major airports that dominate air traffic:
- King Abdulaziz International Airport (Jeddah): 49 million passengers in 2024
- King Khalid International Airport (Riyadh): 37 million passengers in 2024
Jeddah and Riyadh are more attractive destinations due to their larger populations and economic significance, leaving Dammam with lower passenger traffic. Scheduling data for February reveals that a significant portion of King Fahd’s flights are to Jeddah (622 flights) and Riyadh (467 flights), indicating the airport’s heavy dependence on domestic routes.
2. Lack of a Major Anchor Airline
Unlike major hubs that have national carriers based there, King Fahd International lacks a dominant airline. Although low-cost carriers Flynas and Flyadeal operate here, they offer limited destinations. The national carrier, Saudia, has reduced its presence at the airport, operating only a small number of routes. The upcoming Riyadh Air, expected to be based at King Salman International Airport, will likely further reduce Dammam’s prominence.
Current Usage and Expansion Plans
Most of King Fahd International’s flights are regional or domestic, serving cities such as Jeddah, Riyadh, Dubai, and Cairo. Here’s a look at its busiest destinations for February:
| Destination | Flights | Seats |
|---|---|---|
| King Abdulaziz International (JED) | 622 | 103,092 |
| King Khalid International (RUH) | 467 | 75,744 |
| Dubai International (DXB) | 228 | 53,477 |
| Cairo International (CAI) | 186 | 33,481 |
| Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz (MED) | 141 | 25,250 |
On the cargo front, King Fahd International received $26 million in funding from SAL Saudi Logistics Services for developing its cargo-handling facilities. Authorities are also planning a modernization of passenger terminals, including the installation of escalators, elevators, and moving walkways by engineering firm Kone.
Vision 2030 and the Airport’s Future Role
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aims to transform the country into a major global tourism and logistics hub, targeting hundreds of millions of annual visitors. King Fahd International is expected to play a key role, especially in cargo logistics. Authorities are also working on expanding international routes to Europe and Asia to increase passenger traffic.
While Riyadh’s King Salman International is being developed as the region’s mega-hub, King Fahd International is expected to remain crucial for low-cost carriers and cargo operations. If passenger traffic continues to rise as it did in 2024 (a 15% year-on-year increase), the airport may soon break its own records.
Other Massive Airports Around the World
When it comes to total land area, King Fahd International is unmatched, but in terms of used space and passenger flow, other airports take the lead. Here’s how it compares to other large airports:
| Rank | Airport | Area (sq miles) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | King Fahd International (DMM) | 300 |
| 2 | King Khalid International (RUH) | 144.8 |
| 3 | Denver International (DEN) | 53 |
| 4 | Kuala Lumpur International (KUL) | 39 |
| 5 | Istanbul Airport (IST) | 29.5 |
While King Fahd International is largely empty land, Beijing Daxing International boasts the world’s largest terminal at 696,773 m², followed by Guangzhou Baiyun’s recently expanded terminal.
Will King Fahd International Reach Its Potential?
King Fahd International Airport has the infrastructure and land to become a major global hub, but its potential has yet to be fully realized. With increasing passenger traffic, cargo investments, and the push from Vision 2030, it is possible for the airport to grow significantly in the coming years. However, competition from airports in Jeddah and Riyadh and the lack of a flagship airline remain major challenges.
As Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector expands, King Fahd International could eventually see greater usage, but it may take time and strategic planning to fill the gap between its massive size and current underutilization.