Riyadh airport hits terminals with damage at $7.2 million expansion site

The shutdown followed back-to-back attacks over the weekend. On October 10, a missile struck the Terminal 3 and 4 complex, killing 13 people and injuring 309. GACA initially reported 12 fatalities, but the Indian Embassy later confirmed that one Indian citizen died from injuries sustained in the attack, according to the Associated Press.

Surveillance images distributed by Reuters showed smoke and fire during Saturday’s attack at Terminal 3. The news agency verified the location by matching infrastructure and furnishings with stock and satellite images of the terminal. Separately verified Reuters images showed debris, dust and interior damage after the strike.

On October 11, another attack hit Terminal 4, where an unidentified projectile caused a fire, according to the Saudi-led military coalition. GACA reported that one Pakistani resident was killed and 11 others were injured. Saudi air defenses also intercepted and destroyed a cruise missile near the airport, coalition spokesman Major General Turki Al-Malki said in a statement to state media SPA.

A passenger on a plane taxiing to the airport told Reuters on Sunday that a projectile hit the tarmac near several parked planes, sparking a fire. The plane returned to its gate, where the passengers disembarked. The account does not state whether the impact damaged the runway pavement, taxiways or aircraft parking infrastructure.

The attacks effectively halted airport operations ahead of Monday’s extended closure. Aviation analytics firm Cirium reported that 99.7 percent of scheduled flights were canceled on Sunday, Reuters reported. The company predicted that approximately 60% of flights scheduled for Monday would be canceled.

The European Union’s Aviation Safety Agency warned on Oct. 9 that recent Houthi attacks demonstrated the group’s ability to strike deeper into Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh, with a “greater focus on aviation infrastructure.” The agency said missile and drone attacks, air defense intercepts and falling debris posed additional risks to civilian aircraft.

Terminals 3 and 4 total 1.08 million square feet, with 12 aircraft contact gates and four bus gates, according to records from airport operator and Turkish contractor IC İçtaş Construction. Both terminals underwent an approximately $588 million modernization between 2017 and 2022, including extensive interior reconstruction, electrical and mechanical upgrades, new baggage handling systems, and a centralized check-in facility connecting the buildings. The modernization preceded the announcement of the redevelopment of King Salman International Airport later in 2022.

Saudi authorities have not released a detailed engineering assessment identifying structural damage or affected building systems. Documented terminal damage includes existing facilities, and authorities have not confirmed whether areas of active construction or newly built infrastructure were damaged.

King Salman’s construction had progressed before the attacks

Saudi Arabia is developing King Salman International Airport on the existing site, incorporating the operating terminals into a planned larger complex with three new terminals and six parallel runways.

When ENR last reported on the project in May 2025, Bechtel and Parsons had secured major delivery partner assignments for the estimated $7.2 billion development. At the time, Saudi officials projected a capacity of 120 million passengers annually by 2030. The most recent KSIADC project description sets the 2030 target at 100 million passengers.

Bechtel manages the development of a commercial airline terminal, Terminal 6, and a private aviation terminal. Parsons has two four-year contracts covering the management of airfield and ground infrastructure projects, including runways, taxiways, utilities, roads and rail connections.

Bechtel and KSIADC did not respond to ENR’s requests for updates by press time. Parsons sent questions to KSIADC.

Construction began in December 2025 on a planned third runway of 13,780 feet, with FCC Construcción and Al-Mabani General Contractors delivering the work. According to KSIADC, the runway and associated operational improvements will increase the airport’s capacity from 65 to 85 aircraft movements per hour. According to FCC, the scope includes three parallel taxiways, 12 fast exit taxiways and additional perimeter taxiways.

KSIADC has also moved Terminal 6 towards construction. A joint venture between WCT Middle East and Mofarreh M. Al-Harbi and Partners secured an enabling works package covering site preparation, utility work, demolition and access roads, which WCT lists as scheduled to begin.

MEED reported in July that a separate joint venture of China Civil Engineering Construction Corp.-Mofarreh Al-Harbi and Partners won an enabling and substructure package for Terminal 6, while KSIADC selected three groups for early contractor engagement on the terminal’s apron, taxiways and other airfield infrastructure. Days before the attacks, the developer awarded an estimated $214 million contract to a joint venture of Turkey’s Al-Rashid Trading & Contracting and IC Ictas to build the private aviation terminal.

The private aviation package includes civil, structural, mechanical and electrical works, along with roads, parking, support facilities and commissioning. Saudi officials have not announced whether the attacks have affected any of those works or changed the expansion schedule.