PLANS behind the world’s biggest airport have been revealed – with flights set to take off by 2030.
King Salman International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia will have a massive six runways and is expected to see 120million passengers through a year.
The huge new travel hub in the capital will be spread across over 57 square kilometres (22 square miles).
Roughly 12 square kilometres will be dedicated to recreational facilities and a retail space.
The Saudi Press Agency hopes that the new airport will become an “aerotropolis centered around a seamless customer journey, world-class efficient operations, and innovation.”
When the whopping hub opens in 2030, it is expected to be able to accommodate 120million passengers.
It is hoped that this number will increase to 185million passengers by 2050.
The airport is being designed by the British architecture firm Foster + Partners, while UK construction firm Mace will be responsible as the delivery partner.
A statement for the Saudi Press Agency said: “The airport project is in line with Saudi Arabia’s vision to transform Riyadh to be among the top ten city economies in the world and to support the growth of Riyadh’s population to 15–20 million people by 2030.”
King Salman International Airport is also expected to generate around 150,000 jobs in the area.
It is not yet known which airlines will operate from the hub yet.
The huge new centre will absorb the existing terminals at King Khalid International Airport, which first opened in 1983.
At the moment British Airways operates direct routes from the UK to city – with prices starting around £700 for a return ticket.
Despite the ongoing conflict in Yemen, which borders Saudi Arabia, destinations such as Riyadh remain safe for travel.
Travel is only advised against along a 10km stretch of the border between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, according to the UK Government website.
It states: “The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to areas between 10km and 80km from the border with Yemen:
“The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Abha International Airport in Asir province.”
Saudi Arabia isn’t the only country set to get a new airport, with others cropping up across Europe.
Warsaw Solidarity Airport, Poland
Poland’s new mega travel hub is expected to rival the likes of Heathrow and Dubai thanks to its proposed long-haul flights.
The new airport aims to enable passengers from Central and Eastern European countries to fly almost anywhere in the world – without having to travel to hubs in Western Europe first.
Plans are well underway to build Warsaw Solidarity Airport because Warsaw Chopin Airport (the city’s main airport) is nearing capacity.
While Poland plans to build on its overall passenger growth, the new centre will also help the country’s flag carrier (LOT Polish Airlines) to increase its passenger numbers too.
Salerno Airport, Italy
Pontecagnano (Salerno) Airport is currently undergoing a huge £400million renovation.
A longer runway will be built as part of the expansion, as well as five new boarding gates.
More than €250million (£214million) has been spent on the development of the commercial structures inside the airport.
Other developments are also underway in the local area, including a new metro, with five new stops, which will flank the Salerno Battipaglia railway line.
EasyJet will become the first-ever UK airline to operate flights between London and Salerno.
Meanwhile, British Airways will be resuming flights from London Stansted for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The flag carrier has confirmed three new routes will depart from the London airport, with prices starting at £36 for a one-way ticket.
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