Your Guide to King Khalid International Airport (OERK)
ICAO: OERK / IATA: RUH
This is an easy guide for pilots wanting to get know all about King Khalid International and getting their head around flying in and out of the jewel of Najd.
Opened in 1983, King Khalid international airport (KKIA) is the 2nd largest airport in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by traffic, and also 2nd largest by area with over 300 square kilometers. It serves as the main hub for Saudia’s domestic operations servicing every commercial airport in the Kingdom. KKIA handled over 37 million passengers, across 113 destinations. And has 600,000 tonnes of cargo capacity and registered over 269,000 aircraft movements, during 2024. It serves a hub for Saudia,Flynas,Flyadeal and, soon Riyadh Air
Terminal Information
Passenger Terminals
It is home to 4 international terminals and 1 domestic terminal all gates equipped with aerobridges in addition to remote stands.
Terminal 1
Filled with an extensive history in operation since 1983. It used to cater to all non skyteam airlines up until 2023 when massive refurbishments were completed on T3&4. it closed briefly for 2 years undergoing some development increasing its capacity to 7 million.
Terminal 1 is the farthest left of the terminals and has a capacity of 7 million passengers. It is used by 14 airlines
As shown in Infinite Flight in RED
Terminal 1 consists of 8 Gates, 11 to 18
These are all the international airlines operate out of T1 are,
Aegean
Air China
Beond
Cathay Pacific
China Eastern
China Southern
Flynas
ITA
KLM
Lufthansa
Middle Eastern Airlines (MEA)
Polish Lot
Royal Jordanian
Terminal 2
It’s T1’s closer twin with it being open since 1983 serving Saudi and Skyteam airlines, up until 2023 when they moved to T4. It welcomed all foreign carriers until 2025, when it was closed once again after the reopening of T1. It’ll be undergoing an expansion like T1 to 7 million.
located on T1’s Right, it had a capacity of 3 million passengers and is currently closed.
As shown in Infinite Flight in Blue
Terminal 2 consists of 8 gates 21 to 28
Terminal 3
located on T4’s left it’s T4’s closer twin with both having a history of operating domestic flights till 2016 when the newer T5 opened. It went into hibernation till 2022 when refurbishing of it and T4 started. It famously operated the World Cup 2022 shuttle flights to Doha.
As shown in Infinite Flight in White
Terminal 3 consists of 8 gates 31 to 38
It’s current Capacity is at 6.5 million and its used by 37 Airlines.
These are the 37 Airlines currently operating out of T3AirArabia
AirBlue
AirCairo
Air India
AirSial
Ajet
Akasa Air
Azerbaijan Airlines
Badr Airlines
Biman Bangladesh
British Airways
Emirates
Ethiopian Airlines
EygptAir
FlyDubai
FlyJinnah
Gulf Air
Himalayan Airlines
IndiGo
Jazeera Airways
Kam Air
Kuwait Airways
Nesma Airlines
NileAir
Oman Air
Pakistan airlines
Pegasus Airlines
Philippine Airlines
Qatar Airways
Royal Air Maroc
SalamAir
SereneAir
SriLankan airlines
Sudan Airways
SyrianAir
Tareco Aviation
Wizz Air
Yemenia AirwaysVery long list
Terminal 4
Last of the terminals in the farthest right with T3 it previously operated Domestic routes before the opening of T5, it reopened 2023 serving Saudia and Skyteam carriers, it now exclusively operates Saudia International Flights. It has a capacity of 6.5 million.
As shown in Infinite Flight in GreenTerminal 4 consists of 8 gates 41 to 48
Terminal 5
Opened in 2016, it’s operated by the Dublin airport Authority it’s used for domestic flights only, and not international flights that stop in another Saudi city.
As shown in Infinite Flight in Purple with Remote Stands in Orange
Terminal 5 consists of 8 gates 504 to 511, and 10 remote stands E30 to E39 all which can be utilized by 2 smaller planes (L&R) like the a320 or one larger 777 or 787 (C)
It has a capacity of 12 Million passengers, with flights to every single commercial airport in Saudi Arabia. It’s current operators are
Saudia
Flyadeal
Flynas
Though with restrictions on foreign airlines operating domestic routes that could change soon.
Royal Terminal
Located on the opposite side of the passenger terminals all alone with it being beside runway 33L/15R. Most arriving planes pass by it after clearing the runway taxiing to their gate.
Heads of state and other high-ranking VIP visitors to the kingdom are greeted there. It has open spaces, garden areas, and fountains, and a ceremonial hallAs shown in Infinite Flight in Gold
It consists of 2 gates in addition to 7 stands by the terminal and 30 remote stands 20 of which can be served as L and R
GA Apron
The general aviation facility includes a passenger terminal, aircraft parking and maintenance facilities, taxiways and parking for visitors, tenants and staff. In addition to privately owned aircraft, this facility accommodates Saudia’s special flight services group. It is also home to Alsalam Aircraft Company, Ltd. Programmed Depot Maintenance (PDM) on Royal Saudi Air Force aircraft is performed at the uniquely designed facility. So this is where’d you see those G550s,Challenger 350s, Dassault Falcons and many more privately owned planes.
As shown in Infinite Flight in Black
Consists of 30 stands
Cargo OPS
Cargo Terminal
It’s the northest facility in the Airport. While it’s going an expansion it’s current capacity is 500,00 tons a year. With a Couple of Cargo Airlines flying to it, them being
Atlas Air
Cathay Cargo
Cargolux
DHL
Ethiopian Cargo
Lufthansa Cargo
Qatari Cargo
Saudia Cargo
TurkishAs shown in Infinite Flight in Pink
It consists of 7 gates C1 to C7
Aside from all of these, there are multiple remote stands scattered around the airport. The ones by Terminal 5’s remote stands (Remote Apron 6 A&B), parks Emirates’s A380 and those larger private jets like A340s, and 747s
While the ones north of T1 (West remote Stands in IF ) are used for maintenance and storage.
The ones south of T4 (East remote stands in IF) are used for International flights.
Active Notams
As of Right now. There’s only one active Notam that being the following taxiway not in use and instead be used as an aircraft storage Parking.
Runway Information
Now let’s dive into it’s runways
Runway 15L/33R
With those cool winds from the North in the Summer 33R is used. But during winter, More of the winds coming from the south you’ll probably see 15L used. Both for Departures cause of
It’s convenient location by most of the planes with the terminals on its left and GA on it’s right.
Runway 15R/33L
Again with the changes in winds depending on the season. You’ll see those cold approaches coming to land on 15R. While those hot wings coming in on 33L. It’s used sometimes for departures aswell.
Chart Information
Procedures (SIDs and STARs) are available for all runways at OERK, the link below takes you to an excellent site with all your chart wants just scroll right to the bottom and you’ll have all your heart desires.
T H A N K Y O U
Thank you for taking the time to look through my very first Airport Guide! Any suggestions, questions and feedback will be appreciated.
source
Credits:
Guide brought to you by: @IF.Najd
Artistic Inspiration: @Jxshua ‘s omdb guide
Motivation: beating @Abif12 on making this
Formatting Assistance: @Mohamed2030
