Foster + Partners has been selected to create the master plan for King Salman International Airport in Riyadh after winning a competition. The new airport intends to be one of the largest airports in the world. By 2050, the airport will handle 3.5 million tonnes of cargo and up to 185 million passengers.
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The British company also designed a private airport terminal and control tower for Amaala, the opulent resort on the Red Sea coast. The British company also worked on the Red Sea International Airport, which is currently under development.
According to Luke Fox, head of the studio at Foster + Partners, “looking towards the future, the new King Salman International Airport revolutionizes the classic terminal as a single hub loop, served by various entrances.” The terminal connects travelers to the sensory experiences of the city by utilizing natural materials, controlled light, and state-of-the-art facilities.
King Salman International Airport Specs:
With six parallel runways and the current terminals bearing King Khalid’s name, King Salman International Airport’s master plan anticipates having square footage of roughly 57 kilometers. The airport will also have 12 km2 of logistical real estate, residential and entertainment spaces, shops, and aviation support services.
The master plan for the airport is in line with making Riyadh one of the top 10 economies in the world and keeping up with the projected expansion in the capital’s population. The PIF expects the new King Salman International Airport to reach around 15- 20 million people by 2030, providing 103,000 new employment and $7.18 billion in non-oil GDP annually.
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The airport will contribute to a significant increase in Saudi Arabia’s annual passenger traffic from the current 29 million travelers to 120 million by 2030 and 185 million by 2050, as well as an increase in aircraft traffic from 211,000 to more than 1 million flights annually.
The King Salman International Airport will develop into an aerotropolis-centered technological expertise, a world-class guest experience, and a productive workforce at the highest level. The master plan aims to provide visitors and transit travelers with a distinctive design and architecture that does not jeopardize Riyadh’s identity and Saudi culture.
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According to the Saudi Press Agency, with sustainability at its foundation, the new airport will attain LEED Platinum certification by including cutting-edge environmental strategies in its design and will be powered by renewable energy.
Other initiatives include culture, water security, healthcare, and renewable energy. Plans for the largest mangrove forest on the Arabian Gulf coast to aid in sequestering carbon have been made public.
The project’s budget has yet to be shared. Meanwhile, the plan’s goal indicates that the PIF’s aviation industry would get considerable finance to establish cargo and passenger airlines, infrastructure, and an airport network.
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