Foster + Partners won a competition to design the masterplan for King Salman International Airport, a mega-airport, which will strengthen Riyadh’s position as a global logistics hub, boost transportation, trade, and tourism, and serve as a bridge connecting the East and the West.
Luke Fox, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners, said: “Looking forward to the future, the new King Salman International Airport reimagines the traditional terminal as a single concourse loop, served by multiple entrances. The terminal is very much of its place and connects passengers to the sensory experiences of the city, with natural elements, tempered light, and state-of-the-art facilities.”
King Salman International Airport is expected to be one of the world’s largest airports, covering an area of approximately 57 km2 and accommodating six parallel runways and the existing terminals named after King Khalid. In addition, 12km2 of mega-airport support facilities, residential and recreational facilities, retail outlets, and other logistics real estate will be included. The airport aims to accommodate up to 120 million passengers by 2030 and 185 million passengers with a cargo capacity of 3.5 million tons by 2050.
The mega-airport will be transformed into an aerotropolis focused on a seamless customer experience, world-class, efficient operations, and innovation. The new airport will be powered by renewable energy and achieve LEED Platinum certification by incorporating cutting-edge green initiatives into its design.
