The airport occupies an area of 105 km 2 (41 sq mi), which includes, in addition to the main airport facilities, staff accommodation facilities, facilities of the Royal Saudi Air Force Base in the western region, and areas designated for future expansion. Construction work on Kea Airport began in 1974, and ended in 1980. Finally, on May 31, 1981, the airport was opened for service after being officially opened in April 1981.
And this airport is considered the most important in the airports of Saudi Arabia, as it is the main center and the center of operations for the Saudi Arabian Airlines company, as it is the air gate of Makkah Al-Mukarramah, and through it all pilgrims and Umrah performers arrive at the Grand Mosque in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, and it is also distinguished that it includes the fourth largest A terminal for passengers in the world, which is the terminal for pilgrims, with an area of 465,000 square meters.
