King Khalid International Airport, operated by Riyadh Airports Company, has been named ‘World’s Most Improved Airport’ in 2026, out of more than 560 airports worldwide.
The airport also won Skytrax’s ‘Best Airport’ in the 30-40 million passengers category, ranked 14th on the list of the world’s best airports, and secured second place for ‘Best Airport Staff in the Middle East’.
The Skytrax awards were announced at the Skytrax World Airport Awards ceremony in London, held as part of the Passenger Terminal Expo (PTE World 2026), attended by leading figures and experts from the global aviation sector.
The recognition highlights the airport’s significant improvements driven by extensive development initiatives aimed at enhancing passenger experience and service quality. These initiatives have led to a notable increase in operational efficiency and overall performance.
The milestone aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, reflecting the Kingdom’s rapid transformation across multiple sectors, including aviation, and supporting its goal to become a global logistics hub and a key center for domestic and international travel.
CEO of Riyadh Airports Company, Ayman AboAbah, said that the awards ‘reflect the company’s firm commitment to advancing operational services and airport infrastructure.’
Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted noted that the recognition ‘reflects the scale of development achieved at King Khalid International Airport, noting that travelers are experiencing clear improvements across all stages of their journey.’
The Skytrax CEO added that the airport’s climb to 14th place among the world’s top 100 airports underscores the strength and impact of these developments, the efficiency of the upgrade plans, and their success in enhancing passenger experience, reinforcing its position as a key regional travel hub, and embodying the scale of its exceptional transformation.
