Saudi Arabia’s bold vision to become a global aviation super-hub by 2030 depends not only on flagship carriers like Riyadh Air and mega-airports in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, but also on a largely unheralded network of smaller airports scattered across the Kingdom.
The country aims to triple annual passenger numbers to 330 million within the next five years—equivalent to six to eight percent of global air traffic. While most of that growth is expected to funnel through the so-called “Big Three” airports, the lion’s share of the country’s commercial aviation infrastructure lies with a lesser-known operator: Cluster2 Airports.
Cluster2 runs 22 of Saudi Arabia’s 29 commercial airports. These facilities span the central, northern, southern and western regions of the country, and serve as vital access points for millions of domestic and regional travellers. In 2023, Cluster2’s airports supported 25.7 million airline seats—a number projected to rise to around 40 million by 2030.
The performance of Cluster2’s network is increasingly seen as a barometer of Saudi Arabia’s aviation transformation, especially in testing the idea that a rising middle class will take to the skies from regional cities. That premise underpins the 2022 “Introducing the Saudi Aviation Strategy” report, a document full of ambition and forward-thinking. Now, three years on, early signs of progress—or setbacks—are beginning to emerge.
Seat occupancy across Cluster2 airports, known as the seat factor, stood at 69.1 percent in 2023. While respectable, it remains well below the 85 percent typically seen as healthy in the industry. A closer look reveals that nearly 80 percent of capacity is operated by Saudi-licensed carriers, with 77.8 percent of flights connecting through one of the Big Three airports. Foreign carriers, largely from Egypt and the UAE, fill in much of the rest.
Route coverage appears broad at first glance—208 in total, counting both directions—but many of these services fall short in frequency. In three of the four Cluster2 regions, the average route operates less than once per day, limiting consumer choice and dampening commercial returns for airlines.
Another challenge lies in geography and demand. Many of Cluster2’s airports serve agricultural or sparsely populated areas with limited business or tourism appeal. Few offer the natural pull factors that drive consistent passenger growth. Exceptions include places like Yanbu, a Red Sea port city with scuba diving attractions and industrial significance.
Despite these hurdles, Cluster2 remains a critical piece of the aviation puzzle. While its airports may not generate the bulk of Saudi Arabia’s future air traffic, they are essential to the national connectivity plan—linking far-flung communities and supporting domestic economic integration. More importantly, they help to relieve pressure on larger airports and provide redundancy and resilience in the wider network.
The ultimate success of Riyadh Air—and by extension, the Saudi aviation dream—depends not just on glitzy terminals and long-haul routes, but also on the strength and reliability of the wider ecosystem. Cluster2’s modest but expanding operations will play a pivotal role in that equation.
As 2030 approaches, all eyes may be on Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. But for those watching Saudi Arabia’s aviation transformation in detail, the quieter runways managed by Cluster2 may offer the clearest clues about whether this ambitious national strategy will truly take flight.
