Al Wajh Airport Reopens: What It Means for Travellers to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Coast

Last updated: Jun 10, 2026

Al Wajh International Airport has reopened, giving travellers a modern, direct gateway to Saudi Arabia’s northwest Red Sea coast and the new AMAALA destination. Commercial flights resumed on 24 May 2026 after a two-year redevelopment by Red Sea Global.

Here’s what the reopening means for your trip and the practical benefits you can use right now.

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What’s changed at Al Wajh airport

The airport is bigger, more modern, and built to handle far more passengers than before. Annual terminal capacity has jumped from 100,000 to 500,000 passengers, according to Red Sea Global.

The new terminal also handles more travellers at peak times. It has four gates and a peak capacity of 330 arriving and departing passengers per hour.

What this means for you as a traveller:

Shorter waits: More gates and higher hourly capacity mean less crowding at check-in and boarding.
Room to grow: The added capacity is designed to support new routes, so expect more flight options over time.
A purpose-built gateway: This is the first infrastructure project Red Sea Global has completed outside its tourism portfolio, built specifically to serve the region.

Bigger aircraft and a modernised terminal

The upgraded runway and infrastructure now welcome full-size narrow-body jets, which usually means a more comfortable and reliable journey. The airport can handle the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 families, as well as seaplanes and helicopters.

Inside, the terminal has been rebuilt around traveller comfort. According to Red Sea Global, facilities now include:

Premium lounges: Quiet spaces to rest or work before your flight.
Cafés and a mini-market: Food, drinks, and last-minute essentials on site.
Banking services: Currency and basic banking without leaving the terminal.
Car rentals: Pick up a vehicle on arrival for independent travel around Tabuk.
Parking: On-site parking for residents and visitors driving to the airport.

Together, these mean a smoother end-to-end experience whether you’re heading to a resort or exploring the wider Tabuk region.

A faster, easier gateway to AMAALA and the Red Sea coast

The biggest benefit is how close the airport now sits to the destinations travellers actually want to reach. AMAALA, the coastal wellness destination, is about 45 minutes away by road.

If you’d rather skip the drive, there’s a scenic option. A seaplane transfer cuts the journey to roughly 20 minutes.

The airport is now a base for Fly Red Sea, the Kingdom’s first seaplane company. It also supports helicopter operations, giving resorts and tour operators fast multimodal links from the moment you land.

For travellers from across the Gulf and South Asia, this removes one of the biggest friction points of visiting the northwest coast: the long ground transfer that used to follow the flight.

Which flights are operating now and what’s coming

Right now, Saudia operates the airport’s scheduled service with five weekly flights. These connect Al Wajh to two of the Kingdom’s main hubs.

The current Saudia schedule is:

From Riyadh: three flights per week to Al Wajh, linking the capital (RUH) to the Red Sea coast.
From Jeddah: two flights per week, connecting the Red Sea gateway city (JED) to Al Wajh.

International flights aren’t running yet, but they’re on the way. Red Sea Global says international routes are expected at a later stage, with the operator working with airline partners and regulators on future connections.

You can check live schedules and search fares for flights to Al Wajh on Wego, or track real-time status using the Wego flight tracker.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Al Wajh airport reopen?

Commercial flights resumed on 24 May 2026. The reopening followed a two-year redevelopment and modernisation programme led by Red Sea Global.

Which airlines fly to Al Wajh right now?

Saudia operates the current service with five weekly flights. Three come from Riyadh and two from Jeddah, with international routes expected later.

How do I get from Al Wajh airport to AMAALA?

AMAALA is about 45 minutes away by road. A seaplane transfer cuts the journey to roughly 20 minutes, operated from the airport’s new water-aerodrome links.

Are there international flights to Al Wajh?

Not yet. Red Sea Global says international routes are expected at a later stage as it works with airline partners and regulators.