Abha Airport Sets New Single-Day Passenger Record

Abha International Airport recorded a new single-day high for passenger numbers and flight movements as the peak travel season pushes demand across the southern region. The airport is operated under Saudi Arabia's Cluster 2 Airports Company, which handled around 3.98 million passengers on 36,600 flights during the second quarter of 2026, underlining Abha's role as a key regional hub.

For travellers, the fees embedded in each ticket follow the national aeronautical charges schedule that applies at all Saudi airports. Airport building charges (ABC) are set at SAR 10 for domestic passengers and SAR 87 for international passengers, and are non-refundable. A security fee of SAR 8 applies departure, or transit, and is also non-refundable.

Passenger service charges for departing travellers stand at SAR 25 domestic and SAR 130 international, with lower rates of SAR 12.50 and SAR 55 for domestic and international transfer passengers respectively. Charges billed to airlines rather than passengers include aircraft-based infrastructure fees ranging from SAR 500 to SAR 1,500 plus landing and parking fees calculated by weight and time.

How the fees are collected

All of these charges are applied under the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) schedule and are collected by airlines through the ticket price. Passengers do not pay them through Absher, Muqeem, Qiwa, Najiz, Nafath, or Tawakkalna, and there is no separate online portal for individual travellers to settle airport-specific fees.

For residents and visitors flying to or from Abha, the record numbers signal busier terminals and fuller flights during the holiday period. Travellers are advised to arrive early and confirm departure times, as high traffic can affect check-in and boarding schedules.

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