King Abdulaziz International Airport is the primary airport serving Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and the main gateway for pilgrims traveling to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Located approximately 19 kilometers north of Jeddah city center, the airport opened in 1981 and features the iconic Hajj Terminal, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and inspired by Bedouin tents. This open-air terminal, with its distinctive white fabric roof supported by steel cables, was specifically built to accommodate the millions of Muslim pilgrims who arrive each year for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, and can process up to 80,000 passengers at a time. The airport handles over 40 million passengers annually and underwent a major expansion with the opening of Terminal 1 in 2019, a modern facility that increased overall capacity significantly. Saudi Arabian Airlines uses Jeddah as its primary hub, alongside flynas and flyadeal. The airport operates two parallel runways and offers connections to destinations across the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and Europe. Ground transportation includes bus services and the Haramain High-Speed Railway, which connects the airport to Mecca in approximately 50 minutes and to Medina in about two hours. King Abdulaziz International Airport is unique among major world airports for its dual role as both a commercial aviation hub and a critical piece of religious infrastructure, managing enormous surges in traffic during the annual Hajj season.

Aviation Terms

Airfield Lighting (AGL) Airport Category Airport Elevation (ELEV) Airport Fire Station (ARFF) Airport Lounge Airport Reference Point (ARP) Apron Automated Passport Control (APC)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get from Jeddah Airport to the city center?

King Abdulaziz International Airport is located 19 km north of downtown Jeddah. The Haramain High Speed Railway connects the airport to central Jeddah and to Mecca (Makkah) and Medina. Taxis and ride-hailing services (Uber/Careem) cost approximately SAR 50-80 (USD 13-21) for the trip to the city center, taking 20-30 minutes.

How many terminals does Jeddah Airport have?

A brand-new Terminal 1 opened in 2019 as the primary passenger facility, designed to handle 30 million passengers annually. The separate Hajj Terminal, a UNESCO-recognized architectural landmark, handles the massive influx of pilgrims during the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. The old terminals were decommissioned after Terminal 1 opened.

What is unique about Jeddah Airport's Hajj Terminal?

The Hajj Terminal, completed in 1981 and designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, features a massive tent-like roof structure covering 47 hectares, making it one of the largest covered spaces in the world. The Teflon-coated fiberglass roof resembles Bedouin tents and is designed to shelter up to 80,000 pilgrims at a time during the annual Hajj, the largest annual human gathering on Earth.

Is there free Wi-Fi at Jeddah Airport?

Yes, JED provides free Wi-Fi in the new Terminal 1. The modern terminal has excellent amenities including prayer rooms, duty-free shopping, restaurants, and premium lounges. The terminal also features exhibits about Saudi Arabia's cultural heritage and the history of Mecca and Medina.

Which airlines have a hub at Jeddah Airport?

Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) uses JED as its secondary hub alongside Riyadh, with extensive domestic, regional, and international services. Flynas also has significant operations. The airport is a major destination for pilgrimage traffic from across the Muslim world, with airlines from nearly every Muslim-majority country providing seasonal Hajj and year-round Umrah charter services.