The number of registered air carrier departures in Saudi Arabia has shown considerable variation over the past decade. In 2023, departures stood at 344.41 thousand, marking a robust year-on-year increase of 18.37%. This figure reflects a strong recovery from the significant downturn observed in 2020, where departures plummeted by 54.36% due to the pandemic. Over the past five years, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) has been 5.2%, indicating a steady upward trend in air traffic.
Future trends to watch for include sustained growth, with forecasts suggesting a 3.57% CAGR over the next five years. By 2028, registered air carrier departures are expected to reach 431.54 thousand, amounting to a 19.15% increase from 2023 levels. Enhanced economic activity, increased tourism, and ongoing investments in aviation infrastructure are likely to drive such growth.
