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Riyadh Airports Company launched the first phase of its Silent Airport project at Terminal 5 of King Khalid International Airport on August 19, 2026. The operator indicated that public announcements will now be restricted to those at departure gates, with all other flight and terminal information shifted to alternative channels to reduce ambient noise. Passengers will rely on digital screens, dedicated signage and personal assistance teams under the new arrangement. The company stated that this initial rollout at the international terminal will be followed by additional phases that are scheduled for announcement at a later date. King Khalid International Airport has operated an automated announcement system supplied by Simpleway since 2016, and the current project builds directly on that infrastructure during its ongoing technology upgrade.
The updated communication approach directs travelers to the airport website, a WhatsApp number listed as 920020090 and the “Ask Me” assistance personnel stationed throughout the facility, according to the operator. Riyadh Airports Company, which manages the entire King Khalid facility, framed the changes as a way to create a calmer atmosphere for the millions of passengers who pass through annually. The initiative aligns with global trends at other major hubs that have tested reduced announcement models to ease passenger stress during layovers and boarding processes. Simpleway’s project documentation notes that the system expansion now reaches toward Terminals 1 through 4 as part of a comprehensive communications upgrade. This marks a notable step for one of Saudi Arabia’s busiest airports, which opened in 1983 and serves as a primary hub for Saudia, flynas, Flyadeal and Riyadh Air.
Abha International Airport introduced a comparable silent airport concept in May 2024, becoming the first in the kingdom to limit non-essential voice announcements in favor of visual and digital alternatives, Time Out Riyadh reported at the time. That earlier project embraced international best practices to make travel smoother and more peaceful, setting a precedent that King Khalid International Airport is now scaling at a significantly larger facility. The Riyadh project arrives amid a national push to modernize aviation infrastructure and improve user experience across key gateways. Officials have positioned the silent model as complementary to broader efficiency drives rather than a standalone effort. Passenger feedback from the Abha trial highlighted appreciation for the quieter environment, though specific metrics from that site were not carried in the current announcement.
A major transformation plan for King Khalid International Airport, which the Saudi Press Agency said would launch in early 2026, includes terminal reorganization intended to increase overall capacity and reduce waiting times at key checkpoints. Riyadh Airports Company has pursued several technology partnerships in recent years, including the 2021 deployment of a next-generation airport management platform developed with ADB SAFEGATE, company records show. The silent airport measures form one element within these wider modernization activities that also address growing passenger volumes at the facility located 35 kilometers north of central Riyadh. Data from industry observers indicate the airport has steadily expanded its role in both domestic and international connectivity since its opening more than four decades ago. The operator continues to coordinate such upgrades with national aviation authorities to maintain seamless operations during the transition.
Future phases of the Silent Airport project will determine the extent of announcement reductions across the remaining terminals, the company noted in its launch materials. Riyadh Airports Company has emphasized the importance of reliable digital backups and human support to ensure no critical information is lost in the shift away from traditional loudspeaker use. The current focus on Terminal 5 allows the operator to monitor implementation before wider application, according to details shared in the announcement. Industry analyses suggest such initiatives can contribute to more efficient terminal flow when paired with clear visual cues and mobile access. The airport operator has committed to providing regular updates on project progress through its official channels as testing advances.
