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Dragonpass, a leading provider of digital airport ecosystem platforms, reported a sharp rise in domestic travel and airport lounge usage across Saudi Arabia, highlighting the kingdom’s rapid growth as a regional tourism and business hub.
According to Dragonpass data, domestic travel in Saudi Arabia increased by 126 per cent between 2024 and 2025, more than doubling the number of domestic trips in just one year.
The growth comes amid the country’s ongoing infrastructure investments and its Vision 2030 agenda, which aims to boost tourism and business activity.
Key highlights from Dragonpass’ findings
Airport lounge usage also climbed significantly, with some locations recording year-on-year increases of more than 270 per cent. Dragonpass reported the following increases across major airports:
- King Khalid International Airport (Riyadh): +155.7 per cent
- King Abdulaziz International Airport (Jeddah): +165.6 per cent
- King Fahd International Airport (Dammam): +165.7 per cent
- Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport (Al Madinah): +170.1 per cent
- Abha International Airport (Abha): +271.8 per cent
“Saudi Arabia’s domestic travel boom reflects the kingdom’s successful transformation under Vision 2030,” said Andrew Harrison-Chinn, CMO at Dragonpass. “As the country positions itself as a global hub for tourism and business, we are seeing travelers seek more elevated and seamless airport experiences.
“The surge in lounge usage is a clear indicator of growing confidence in Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure and cultural destinations, and we are proud to be part of this journey.”
Dragonpass, which has a presence in all major Saudi airports, offers travelers access to lounges, fast-track services, dining, and other premium amenities.
The surge in domestic travel and lounge usage underscores Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a key global tourism player, outpacing many of the world’s fastest-recovering markets, and points to potential opportunities for airlines, hospitality providers, and investors seeking to tap into the expanding travel economy.
Read: Saudi travel demand grows in early 2025, shows report
