Inside world's biggest airport under construction with 12 square km of shops

Anyone who has travelled abroad knows some airports are absolutely massive, but a new aviation hub being built in Saudi Arabia could dwarf them all.

Set to launch in 2030, this groundbreaking airport is expected to come with an eye-watering $30 billion construction bill.

With its six colossal runways and lavish terminal, it's hardly surprising the cost is so steep.

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King Salman International Airport in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, will snatch the crown as the world's biggest airport once finished. It will span a mind-boggling 57 square kilometres, with 12 square kilometres dedicated purely to retail.

The complete airport development will match the area of 14,000 football pitches, reports the Mirror US.

Fosters and Partners are responsible for the airport's blueprint. This cutting-edge aviation facility will also create 150,000 positions across the logistics and commercial sectors.

The complex will handle 120 million passengers each year, with scope to grow to 185 million by 2050.

The Saudi Press Agency declared in a statement: "The airport project is in line with Saudi Arabia's vision to transform Riyadh to be among the top ten city economies in the world and to support the growth of Riyadh's population to 15-20 million people by 2030."

At present, Saudi Arabia already hosts the planet's largest airport - Dammam Airport.

Saudi Arabia is pursuing countless bold projects as part of its 2030 vision.

Building work has commenced on the airport, anticipated to open in 2030 Construction has already commenced on what will become the globe's most colossal building, also situated in Riyadh.

The Mukaab will be so vast that it could accommodate 20 Empire State Buildings inside its structure.

The title means "cube" in Arabic, and the development is planned to emerge in central Riyadh.

Standing at an incredible 1,300 ft in height and 1,200 ft in width, the complex will contain 104,000 residential units, 9,000 hotel rooms, 1 million square feet of office space, and 2 million square feet allocated to retail.

Furthermore, the structure will accommodate a theatre and a university within its confines.