Riyadh Air Base

Riyadh, SA πŸ‡ΈπŸ‡¦ Closed Airport

ICAO

OERY

IATA

-

Elevation

2082 ft

Region

SA-01

Local Time

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Airport Information

GPS Code: Not available

Local Code: Not available

Location: 24.725725Β° N, 46.722336Β° E

Continent: AS

Type: Closed Airport

Keywords: Riyad XXN OERY

Terminal Information Not Available
Terminal arrivals and departures are only available for airports with scheduled commercial service and IATA codes.
Nearby Points of Interest

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Airport Information

Technical Information

For Aviation Geeks

Designation Length Width Surface Status
01/19 13288 ft 147 ft ASP Active Lighted
15/33 11778 ft 147 ft ASP Closed Lighted

Type Description Frequency
APP APP 120.0 MHz
ATIS ATIS 114.5 MHz
GND GND 121.9 MHz
PMSV PMSV METRO 33.8 MHz
POST HOTEL 2 730.0 MHz
TWR TWR 118.1 MHz

Airport Closure Information

Last updated: Jul 26, 2025
Closure Date

The airport ceased all commercial and civil operations in late 1983. The official closure to civilian traffic coincided with the opening of the new King Khalid International Airport (OERK) on December 5, 1983.

Reason for Closure

The primary reason for closure was replacement. The old airport was becoming engulfed by the rapidly expanding city of Riyadh, leaving no room for expansion. Its runways and terminal facilities were inadequate for the growing volume of air traffic and the new generation of wide-body aircraft, such as the Boeing 747. A new, much larger, and more modern facility was needed, leading to the construction of King Khalid International Airport (OERK) further north of the city. Upon the closure of its civil functions, the entire facility was formally converted into a dedicated military air base.

Current Status

The site is an active and strategically important military installation known as Riyadh Air Base. It is operated by the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) and serves as a key base for various military operations. It houses multiple RSAF squadrons, including transport aircraft, reconnaissance planes, and is a primary base for the Saudi Royal Flight, which operates VIP aircraft for the royal family and government officials. The base is fully operational and secured as a military facility.

Historical Significance

Originally known simply as Riyadh Airport, OERY was the first and principal airport serving the Saudi capital for several decades after its establishment in the 1950s. It was the main hub for the national carrier, Saudia (then Saudi Arabian Airlines), and handled all of Riyadh's domestic, international, and Royal flights. As the gateway to the capital, it welcomed numerous heads of state, diplomats, and business leaders, playing a pivotal role in the economic and political development of the Kingdom during the oil boom era. Its location, now in the heart of the city, is a testament to how much Riyadh has grown around it.

Reopening Prospects

There are zero plans or prospects for reopening Riyadh Air Base (OERY) to commercial traffic. Its current role as a critical military base in the nation's capital, combined with its location in a dense urban area, makes reopening for civilian use impractical and a security risk. Furthermore, Riyadh is already served by the massive King Khalid International Airport (OERK), which is itself undergoing significant expansion and is the site for the planned new King Salman International Airport, making a third, older, and smaller airport completely redundant.

Nearby Airports

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King Fahad Hospital Helipad
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University Helipads (2x)
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KAPSARC Helipad
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Military Airport
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~22 km away
Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.

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