The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been chosen as the host for the 31st World Route Development Forum (Routes World 2026), a pivotal event that will shape the future of air connectivity. Officially led by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), it will involve partnerships with the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) as the tourism partner, the Air Connectivity Program (ACP), and Matarat Holding as the airport partner, organized by Tahaluf.

Routes World serves as an international stage where airlines, airports, and tourism authorities can plan and negotiate future air services, consistently drawing thousands of aviation leaders to promote global connectivity and foster international tourism growth.

Riyadh’s selection reflects Saudi Arabia’s trajectory towards establishing itself as a leading aviation hub and premier tourist destination, aligning with the Vision 2030 initiative. In 2024, the country’s air transport sector witnessed unprecedented growth, with over 128 million passengers traveling through its airports – a 15% increase from the previous year and a 25% increase compared to pre-pandemic figures. The momentum persisted into the first half of 2025 with 66.7 million passengers, 467,000 flights, and 575,000 tons of cargo processed at Saudi airports, solidifying the kingdom’s status as one of the fastest-growing aviation markets worldwide.

“Hosting Routes World 2026 is a significant milestone in our efforts to establish Riyadh as a central hub for global aviation,” stated Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, GACA President and Chairman of Matarat Holding. “This decision underscores Saudi Arabia’s vibrant aviation growth, infrastructure investment, and our ambitious Vision 2030 tourism and economic growth plans.”

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, emphasized that “Saudi is not just welcoming the world, we’re connecting it.” The tourism industry continues to grow rapidly, with 116 million visitors in 2024 – a 6% increase from the previous year. Hosting Routes World 2026 will play a crucial role in maintaining robust air links essential for this growth.

Majid Khan, CEO of the ACP, declared his pride in the program being an official partner for the event, recognizing it as an opportunity to showcase the future of KSA’s air travel industry, while Steven Small from Routes noted that “The Kingdom’s tourism sector has grown tremendously, reaching an international visitor spending of $40.95 billion in 2024.”

Riyadh’s King Salman International Airport (KSIA) is expected to accommodate 120 million passengers by 2030 and 185 million by 2050. King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah is also set to undergo expansions to increase its capacity significantly. Moreover, the launch of Riyadh Air by the end of 2025 aims to connect over 100 international destinations.

With successful bids for World Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup in 2034, Riyadh’s hosting of Routes World 2026 will further affirm its position as a global connector linking Asia, Africa, and Europe.