Riyadh Airports Company reports 22% December international passenger growth over December 2019

Riyadh Airport Company (RAC), operator of King Khalid International Airport (KKIA), announces that international passengers grew more than 22% above December 2019. Full year International passengers grew by 0.5% against pre-COVID levels.

The strong December International passenger growth follows 13% ahead in October and 14% in November, bringing Q4 ahead by 17% vs 2019. Total passengers in December were 7% above pre-COVID December; the Q4 period was 3% above 2019.

Against 2021, international passengers grew 111% and domestic 35%; total passengers were 61% ahead.

Passenger growth comes on the back of 28 new services to 22 countries and 10 new destinations launched in 2022.

Duty Free performance has continued to benefit from strong spend improvement and the passenger growth, delivering sales 60% higher in Q4 above 2019, and 51% for the full year over 2019; sales improved 91% above 2021 full year.

Food and beverage sales were 18% up and retail 8% for Q4 against the same period in 2019 with continued focus on maximising opportunities through a strong collaborative approach.

Abdulaziz Al Asaker, Commercial Group VP RAC, added: “We are absolutely delighted with the very strong international passenger growth, and the growing trajectory we have seen through the second half of the year. With our continued route network expansion plans into 2023, we anticipate continued strong growth. Domestic passenger numbers are building back nicely too and we expect to see further solid growth this year.  

The commercial sales growth is excellent and we have delivered the best ever levels in all categories. This is the result of close collaboration with our partners and we will continue to build on these partnerships in 2023”.