Saudi Arabia Air Travel Sees Significant Growth In 2023: GASTAT Report

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has released its 2023 Air Transport Statistics report, highlighting a substantial increase in passenger traffic and air cargo movement across Saudi Arabia. The number of passengers travelling through the Kingdom's airports reached 112 million in 2023, marking a 26% rise compared to 2022.

International travel experienced a notable resurgence, with passenger numbers soaring by 46% year-on-year to reach 61 million in 2023. Domestic travel also showed healthy growth, with 51 million passengers recorded in 2023, reflecting a 9% increase over the previous year.

The report indicated a corresponding rise in flight activity. International flights totalled approximately 394,000 in 2023, a 36% increase from 2022. Domestic flights also saw a slight uptick, reaching 421,000 flights in 2023, a 2% year-on-year increase.

Air freight movement demonstrated positive growth as well. The total cargo quantity reached 918,000 tons in 2023, representing a 7% increase over the previous year. December recorded the highest cargo volume at 93,000 tons.

Saudi Arabia's international air connectivity showed significant improvement. The Kingdom climbed nine places in global rankings, achieving the 18th position in 2023 compared to its standing in 2019. This positive trend is further evidenced by the number of destinations accessible from Saudi airports, which reached 148 in 2023, a 47% increase from the previous year.

The report also detailed the total passenger capacity across all Saudi airports, which has reached an annual capacity of 116 million passengers. King Abdulaziz International Airport led with a capacity of 45 million passengers annually, followed by King Khalid International Airport at 37 million and King Fahad International Airport at 13 million.

These statistics underscore the robust growth and enhanced connectivity within Saudi Arabia's air transport sector. The data reflects the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to expand and improve its aviation infrastructure.

With inputs from SPA