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Cluster2 Airports said in a statement that 18 of its airports earned Level One Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation from Airports Council International, recognizing their readiness to apply international standards for inclusive travel. The accreditation evaluates policies, infrastructure and services to better accommodate passengers with disabilities and other diverse needs. The operator added that the milestone aligns with its efforts to enhance the overall passenger experience across Saudi Arabia’s regional airports, which form a key part of the Kingdom’s aviation expansion.
The statement listed the accredited sites as Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Qassim, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Jazan, Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk and Prince Abdulmohsin bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Yanbu. It further included Abha, Najran, Taif, Arar, Al-Jouf and Hail international airports along with domestic facilities at Dawadmi, Turaif, Al-Baha, Rafha, Al-Qurayyat, Bisha, Sharurah and Wadi Al-Dawasir. These 18 airports represent the majority of the 22-airport network managed by Cluster2 Airports, according to earlier company disclosures.
Airports Council International, the global association that issued the certification, uses the program to promote best practices in accessibility across its member airports worldwide. Level One status confirms that initial assessments have been met, paving the way for potential progression to higher tiers. Cluster2 Airports noted that the recognition supports broader improvements in operational standards throughout Saudi regional aviation.
Separate figures from Cluster2 Airports showed its network recorded nearly 5 million passengers in the first quarter of 2026, a 7 percent increase year on year, alongside a 9 percent rise in flight movements to more than 37,000. The growth coincided with the addition of new domestic and international routes linking to destinations including Madinah, Doha, Muscat, Addis Ababa and Giza. Such expansion forms part of Saudi Arabia’s National Aviation Strategy aimed at boosting connectivity and tourism.
The accessibility accreditation follows recent advancements in environmental certification, with the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme reporting in May 2026 that the Cluster2 network completed upgrades and renewals for all 22 airports. Arar Airport reached Level 4-plus status under that scheme while several others advanced to Level 2 by setting emissions reduction targets. These parallel initiatives reflect coordinated progress across sustainability and passenger service metrics.
Cluster2 Airports stated that the latest achievement underscores its focus on inclusive infrastructure as the Kingdom advances Vision 2030 goals to diversify the economy and elevate service quality in transport. The operator has also completed projects such as the new Al-Jouf International Airport to support regional development. Industry data from the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation indicates continued investment in secondary airports to handle rising demand.
