The airport was inaugurated in 1946, when the first aircraft—a Douglas DC‑3—arrived. In the same year, King Abdulaziz sent a letter to U.S. President Harry Truman requesting the purchase of three additional aircraft of the same model. These planes arrived in 1947, marking the beginning of Riyadh International Airport’s passenger service.
In 1947, approximately 4,500 passengers were transported. The number increased to 6,300 in 1948, and to 7,400 in 1949, with five new destinations being opened each year.
By 1950, passenger numbers reached 8,000, and in 1951 they rose to 8,700. However, in 1952, the number dropped sharply to 2,300 passengers due to a measles outbreak that spread across the Kingdom during the 1950s. Once clinics were opened, the situation stabilized.
By 1954, passenger traffic had grown significantly, creating an urgent need to expand the airport. The number of passengers had risen from 3,600 in 1953 to 5,900 in 1954. King Saud therefore initiated an expansion plan, laying the foundation stone in 1956. Construction began in 1957, and included the addition of two new halls: an arrival hall and a departure hall. The total airport area reached 9,300 square meters.
The expansion was completed in 1962, and the opening ceremony was presided over by Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Passenger numbers continued to rise steadily:
- 1963: 6,400 passengers
- 1964: 8,500 passengers
- 1965: 9,200 passengers
- 1966: 10,000 passengers
- 1967: 11,110 passengers
- 1968: 13,900 passengers
The airport consisted of two main halls: a Royal Terminal and a Passenger Terminal. It had originally been inaugurated by Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz in 1945.