The Beauty of Arab Airports

posted on: Jan 7, 2026

By Jake Harris / Arab America Contributing Writer

It cannot be overstated how crucial airports are to any nation’s infrastructure and economy. It is the first place any traveler sees when they enter a new country. Airports are the baseline of tourism, as well as international trade. A significant number of Arab countries, in an effort to modernize, build tourism, and economic growth, have invested significantly in airports, creating world-class facilities to manage the flow of entrances and exits from the country. Below are some of the most futuristic, beautiful airports in the Arab World.

Hamad International: Doha, Qatar

Self-labeled as the best airport in the world, Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, is one of the most futuristic-looking airports architecturally. The airport includes a fitness facility with a swimming pool. The airport contains a signature garden called The Orchard. This is virtually a nature retreat within the confines of the airport. The airport also has a Louis Vuitton lounge. In the 2024 Airports Council International report on the world’s busiest airports, Hamad ranked 10th in the World in international passengers. The airport ranked 8th in the world in air cargo. Hamad is the main hub for Qatar Airways. A hub is an aviation term for a particular airport that an airline has significant amounts of direct and connecting flights coming in and out of.

King Abdulaziz International Airport: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

King Abdulaziz Airport is the busiest airport in Saudi Arabia and one of the busiest in the entire Middle East. It serves the city of Jeddah but also Mecca. It is the beginning of Hajj for millions of Muslims around the world every year. In 2025, the airport achieved 53.4 million passengers. This is the most ever recorded in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since air travel started. The airport is unique in that it has its own Hajj terminal to accommodate pilgrims. It is also home to a giant tubed aquarium. 

Dubai International Airport: Dubai, United Arab Emirates 

Dubai International Airport is the busiest airport in the world by international passengers. The airport is going to eventually be replaced by the Al-Maktoum Airport, another airport in the Dubai region. The upcoming expansion of Al-Maktoum airport will be five times larger than Dubai Airport. The new terminal at Al-Maktoum will cost approximately 34 billion US dollars. As for the current Dubai Airport, its concourses include many unique features. Dubai Airport contains a hotel within terminal 3, a major perk for passenger travel in the event of untimely delays or cancellations.  
Terminal 1 at Dubai Airport is the oldest and mostly handles International Flights, Terminal 2 carries many domestic flights, while Terminal 3 is the Emirates Airlines hub, Dubai is the main hub for Emirates.

Kuwait International Airport: Kuwait City, Kuwait

Kuwait Airport is the 11th busiest airport in the Middle East. It is planning a major expansion of its runways along with a new air traffic control tower by 2027. This is part of Kuwait’s 2035 initiative, it is a similar vision of modernization and economic growth that Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 illustrates. The airport was initially a British Air Force post that served as a connection to India. The Airport is headquarters for the Kuwaiti Air Force. Kuwait Airport is well recognized by its three pronged bird shaped architecture. 

Queen Alia International Airport: Zizya, Jordan 

A major hub in the Levant, Jordan’s major airport is well known for its unique architectural design. The architect who designed the terminal is the same architect who designed the famous Wembley Stadium in London England. You can see the style resemblance. The Airport’s terminal design was also made to resemble Bedouin tents. Queen Alia Airport is the 21st busiest airport in the Middle East. 

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