Riyadh, SA πΈπ¦ Closed Airport
OERY
-
2082 ft
SA-01
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Loading...GPS Code: Not available
Local Code: Not available
Location: 24.725725Β° N, 46.722336Β° E
Continent: AS
Type: Closed Airport
Keywords: Riyad XXN OERY
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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 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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