Ersel Göral to Assume Key Role at Saudi Arabia’s Prestigious Airport
Ersel Göral, the sole executive who has served in top-level management positions at Turkey’s four major airports, has been appointed as the Vice President of King Salman International Airport, a prominent aviation investment in the capital city, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The airport, planned with an investment of approximately $30 billion under the “2030 Vision” of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), is set to become a leading global aviation hub with a capacity of 120 million passengers and six runways.
Designed by the British architectural firm Foster + Partners, the airport is envisioned to be expandable based on developments, making it a potential contender for one of the world’s largest and busiest airports in the coming years. As part of Saudi Arabia’s $100 billion investment in the aviation sector, the airport aims to revitalize the country’s tourism.
Leading the helm at King Salman International Airport, under Ersel Göral’s guidance, the airport will cover an expansive area of 57 square kilometers, including the currently operational King Khalid International Airport. By 2030, the airport is projected to accommodate an annual capacity of 120 million passengers.
Saudi Arabian authorities aim for the airport to strengthen the city’s position as a global logistics center, boost transportation, trade, and tourism, and serve as a bridge connecting the East and West. The airport’s energy will be sourced entirely or predominantly from renewable energy, promising a unique travel experience for transit passengers.
Ersel Göral holds the distinction of being the only top-level executive to have served in airport/terminal management at Turkey’s four major airports. Throughout his career, he has achieved significant milestones, notably transforming Sabiha Gökçen International Airport into one of Europe’s largest airports and earning numerous awards for projects undertaken during his leadership.
