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| Riyadh International Airport (old) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Riyadh International Airport (old) |
| Nativename | مطار الرياض القديم |
| IATA | RUH |
| ICAO | OERY |
| Type | Public / Military (former) |
| Operator | General Authority of Civil Aviation |
| City-served | Riyadh |
| Location | Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia |
| Opened | 1950s |
| Closed | 1983 (commercial services relocated) |
| Occupants | Royal Saudi Air Force (former) |
Riyadh International Airport (old) was the principal air gateway serving Riyadh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from the mid-20th century until the early 1980s. Positioned near the historic Diriyah area and the Kingdom Centre site, the airport functioned as a focal point for emerging Middle East aviation networks, linking Riyadh with hubs such as Jeddah, Dammam, Cairo, Amman, and Dubai. Its operational life intersected with regional developments like the expansion of Saudia, the logistics of Oil boom (1970s), and the strategic posture of the Royal Saudi Air Force.
The airport began operations in the 1950s during the reign of King Saud as part of modernization efforts that also involved projects like the Dammam Port expansion and the establishment of state institutions including the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency and the King Saud University. Early routes established by carriers such as Trans World Airlines, Imperial Airways (through earlier arrangements), and later Saudia connected Riyadh with colonial-era and post-colonial nodes including Cairo International Airport, Basra International Airport, Baghdad International Airport, and Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport. The airport’s growth paralleled infrastructure initiatives like the Riyadh Development Authority planning and construction of arterial roads linking to the King Khalid International Airport project.
During the 1960s and 1970s the facility hosted mixed civil-military operations, supporting squadrons from the Royal Saudi Air Force and receiving state delegations including visits by leaders such as Gamal Abdel Nasser (earlier regional meetings), King Faisal, and foreign dignitaries from United States delegations and United Kingdom missions. The decision to build a new airport culminated in the King Khalid International Airport development, influenced by factors including the 1973 oil crisis, aviation capacity demands, and urban expansion policies under the Council of Ministers (Saudi Arabia). Commercial flights were progressively transferred in 1983, and the old airport’s civilian role ceased as operations consolidated at the new Riyadh–King Khalid International Airport.
The old airport featured a single runway and a modest terminal complex designed to 1950s and 1960s standards; its air traffic control and ground handling arrangements interfaced with regional authorities including the International Civil Aviation Organization and the Arab Air Carriers Organization. Apron capacity supported narrowbody types operated by carriers such as Boeing 737-200 equivalents and turboprops like the Fokker F27 Friendship used by early regional operators. Ancillary facilities included fuel farms supplied through pipelines linked to terminals servicing Saudi Aramco logistics, maintenance bays used by operators including Saudia Maintenance, and apron lighting consistent with ICAO Annex 14 recommendations of the era.
The terminal architecture reflected mid-century modern influences seen in other Gulf projects such as Kuwait International Airport (1960s) and Doha International Airport (old terminal), with passenger lounges, customs and immigration facilities, and basic cargo sheds handling freight for exporters bound for Jeddah Islamic Port and transit through Dubai International Airport. Ground access relied on the Riyadh–Dammam Road and nearby highway nodes that later integrated into the Riyadh Ring Road system. Fire and rescue services complied with prevailing standards and cooperated with military firefighters from King Khalid Military City on contingency plans.
Throughout its operational life the airport served national carrier Saudia as well as international airlines including British Overseas Airways Corporation, Air France, Aegean Airlines (early iterations), Iraqi Airways, Middle East Airlines, and Gulf Air via hub-and-spoke schedules connecting Riyadh to destinations such as Jeddah, Dammam, Cairo, Beirut, Amman Royalty/Queen Alia International Airport, Muscat International Airport, and Doha International Airport. Regional cargo operators and charter services linked the facility with Larnaca International Airport and pilgrimage routes to Jeddah for Hajj travelers using surface transfer corridors organized by authorities including the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
The station’s route map evolved as aircraft technology advanced and regional demand increased, prompting operators such as Pan American World Airways to adjust frequencies, and spurring entry by regional specialists like Middle East Airlines and Kuwait Airways. Seasonal charters tied to diplomatic events and conferences in Riyadh also utilized the airport, hosting delegations from entities including the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Operating records from the old airport period included multiple incidents typical of mid-century aviation growth. Notable events involved runway excursions and forced returns attributed to mechanical issues on types operated by airlines such as Saudia and Iraqi Airways, attracting investigations per protocols from International Civil Aviation Organization and regional civil aviation authorities. High-profile emergency diversions occasionally drew military support from the Royal Saudi Air Force and medical evacuations coordinated with hospitals including King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre. While dramatic airline accidents were limited compared with later eras, the airport’s operational hazards informed safety upgrades carried into the King Khalid International Airport design, aligning with standards advocated by ICAO and IATA.
After civilian operations moved to the new King Khalid International Airport in the early 1980s, the site underwent phased redevelopment tied to Riyadh’s urban master plans promoted by the Riyadh Development Authority and municipal projects under the Mayor of Riyadh. Portions of the former airfield were repurposed for military logistics supporting the Royal Saudi Air Force and for industrial estates contributing to initiatives by Ministry of Transport. Some land parcels became integrated into residential expansions near Al-Malaz and commercial developments adjacent to projects such as the King Abdullah Financial District and the Riyadh Metro corridors.
Archaeological and cultural heritage considerations around the former site intersected with preservation efforts relating to nearby historic locations like Diriyah (At-Turaif) and adaptive reuse proposals presented to authorities including the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage. The legacy of the old airport persists in historical records, aerial imagery archives held by institutions such as the National Archives of Saudi Arabia and in the institutional memory of carriers like Saudia and regional aviation stakeholders.
Category:Airports in Saudi Arabia Category:Buildings and structures in Riyadh Category:Transport in Riyadh