The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been officially chosen to host the 31st World Route Development Forum (Routes World 2026), marking a historic milestone in the nation’s transformation into a premier global aviation and tourism destination.
The prestigious aviation industry event, recognized as the world’s most influential air connectivity conference, will be held in Riyadh under the leadership of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). The comprehensive partnership includes the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) as tourism partner, the Air Connectivity Program (ACP) as air connectivity partner, Matarat Holding as airport partner, and organized by Tahaluf.
World’s Premier Aviation Networking Platform
Routes World serves as the definitive international platform where airlines, airports, tourism authorities, and aviation stakeholders converge to plan and negotiate future air services. The annual event attracts thousands of aviation decision-makers worldwide, driving global connectivity initiatives and supporting the exponential growth of international travel and tourism markets.
The selection of Riyadh as the host city reflects Saudi Arabia’s remarkable progress in establishing itself as a global aviation hub and world-class tourism destination, directly supporting the ambitious objectives of Vision 2030.
Record-Breaking Aviation Growth Statistics
Saudi Arabia’s air transport sector achieved unprecedented milestones in 2024, demonstrating the Kingdom’s emergence as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets. The impressive performance metrics include:
2024 Performance Highlights:
- 128+ million passengers traveled through Saudi airports
- 15% year-on-year increase in passenger traffic
- 25% jump compared to pre-pandemic levels
- Complete recovery from COVID-19 impact on aviation sector
2025 First-Half Results:
- 66.7 million passengers welcomed at Saudi airports
- 467,000 flights processed across the Kingdom
- 575,000 tons of cargo handled efficiently
These remarkable figures underscore Saudi Arabia’s position as a rapidly expanding aviation market with robust infrastructure and growing international appeal.
Vision 2030 Aviation Transformation
Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, GACA President and Chairman of Matarat Holding, emphasized the strategic significance: “Hosting Routes World 2026 is a major milestone in our journey to position Riyadh and the Kingdom as a central hub for global aviation. The decision endorses Saudi Arabia’s dynamic aviation growth, infrastructure investment programme, and ambitious Vision 2030 tourism and economic growth agenda.”
Tourism Sector Boom Drives Aviation Demand
The Kingdom’s tourism industry has experienced explosive growth, creating unprecedented demand for enhanced air connectivity solutions. Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, highlighted this transformation: “Saudi is not just welcoming the world, we’re connecting it. Our rise as a global leader in tourism and aviation is opening doors between people, places, and opportunities like never before.”
Tourism Growth Indicators:
- 116 million visitors welcomed in 2024
- 6% increase from 2023 visitor numbers
- $40.95 billion international visitor spending in 2024
- World-leading growth pace in travel and tourism sector
Hamidaddin added: “The travel and tourism industry are growing at a pace the world has never seen. Strong air links are the lifeblood of that growth, and by hosting Routes World 2026, the Kingdom will play a vital role in ensuring that from Riyadh to every corner of the globe, the world is within reach.”
Air Connectivity Program Strategic Partnership
Majid Khan, CEO of the Air Connectivity Program (ACP), expressed pride in the partnership: “The Air Connectivity Program is proud to be an official Air Connectivity Partner for Routes World 2026 in Riyadh, the world’s most significant air connectivity conference. Hosting such a prestigious event in Saudi Arabia is a testament to our commitment to the growth of Saudi Arabia’s tourism and aviation sectors.”
The initiative directly aligns with the Saudi National Tourism Strategy and the Aviation Program’s bold ambitions for sector transformation and international connectivity enhancement.
International Recognition and Industry Validation
Steven Small, Managing Director of Routes, acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s exceptional performance: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector has demonstrated extraordinary growth, with international visitor spending reaching $40.95 billion in 2024. This remarkable performance, coupled with the country’s strategic location and modern aviation infrastructure, makes Riyadh an ideal host for Routes World 2026.”
Massive Infrastructure Development Pipeline
The Kingdom’s commitment to aviation infrastructure expansion demonstrates long-term vision and substantial investment in sector growth:
King Salman International Airport (KSIA) – Riyadh:
- 120 million passengers capacity by 2030
- 185 million passengers projected capacity by 2050
- State-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technology integration
King Abdulaziz International Airport – Jeddah:
- Current capacity: 50 million passengers annually
- 2030 target: 80-114 million passengers annually
- 2035 goal: 100 million passengers capacity
- Multi-phase expansion program underway
New Airline Launch and Route Expansion
Saudi Arabia’s aviation landscape will be transformed with the launch of Riyadh Air by the end of 2025. The new national carrier plans to serve more than 100 international destinations, significantly expanding the Kingdom’s global connectivity options and supporting tourism growth objectives.
Global Event Hosting Capabilities
Riyadh’s successful bids for major international events demonstrate the city’s world-class hosting capabilities:
- World Expo 2030: Prestigious international exhibition
- FIFA World Cup 2034: Global football championship
- Routes World 2026: Premier aviation industry conference
These victories reflect international confidence in Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure, organizational expertise, and commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for global audiences.
Strategic Geographic Positioning
The Kingdom’s strategic location positions it as an ideal connector and gateway between three major continents:
- Asia: Eastern economic powerhouses and emerging markets
- Africa: Growing economies and tourism destinations
- Europe: Established markets and cultural exchange hubs
This geographic advantage, combined with modern infrastructure and progressive policies, creates unprecedented opportunities for air connectivity development and international collaboration.
Economic Impact and Future Outlook
Routes World 2026 is expected to generate significant economic benefits for Saudi Arabia, including:
- International exposure for tourism destinations
- Business partnerships with global aviation companies
- Investment opportunities in infrastructure and services
- Knowledge transfer in aviation best practices
- Enhanced connectivity with new airline routes
The event will showcase Saudi Arabia’s transformation story and demonstrate the Kingdom’s readiness to serve as a major player in global aviation and tourism markets.
Routes World 2026 represents a pivotal moment for Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector, highlighting the Kingdom’s remarkable journey from regional player to global aviation hub under the transformative Vision 2030 initiative.
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